Communication is the act of sending information from a sender (you the cyclist) to a receiver (other cyclists, motorists, pedestrians, animals). And it can make everyone’s ride much safer. The most important information to send is before you do something different or unexpected. Most folks on the road just want to get where they are going without anybody getting hurt. Let’s make it easier for everyone by communicating.

Verbal Communication:

• “Car Back”: to announce a vehicle approaching from behind. If it is a motorcycle with illegally loud pipes, save your breath, people know it is coming.
• “Car up”: vehicle in the front, usually heading towards you.
• “Slowing”: let riders behind you know what you are doing BEFORE you do it. Extra credit for using hand signals.
• “SLOWWING!!!”: use tone and volume to indicate a sudden unexpected slowing.
• “Stopping”: use this at Stop signs, red traffic lights, or a mechanical failure that causes you to pull off the road. Also useful when a vehicle in front of you stops unexpectedly.
• “Hole”: if it is a hazard let folks know. Point to it.
• “Gravel”: this one gets folks attention.
• “On your left!!!” Given before passing another cyclist, which should be done on the left. Make it loud. I hear lots of complaints about cyclists not giving this announcement. Best given 2-3 seconds before passing. Make it loud enough to be heard, but far enough away not to startle riders without mirrors.
• “YO!”: use like how a car horn should be used: To get someone’s attention to avoid a crash.
• “NO!”: also “Bad Dog”, or “GO HOME”. Use a harsh tone to keep fido out of your front wheel.

Non Verbal Communication:

• Pedaling: Continuing to pedal sends the signal that you will continue at your current speed and direction.
• Stop pedaling: Stopping your pedaling tells people you will be slowing and/or you are signaling other road users it is ok to go in front of you. This can be a great method to encourage shy passers of the 2 or 4 wheel kind. If you are approaching an intersection, this can also tell cross traffic it is ok to proceed in front of you.
• Turn signals: you know what they are. Do you use them 100 ft. before the turn?
• Left Arm straight, extended to the side, 45 degree angle from vertical, with palm facing back. Like a one-armed crossing guard. This tells cars and bikes “Don’t pass me now”. Most commonly given by cyclist on a narrow 2-lane who can see “Car-up”, but the “car-back” can’t see it yet. Nothing builds good public-relations faster than preventing a head-on collision.

You probably have 3 mirrors on your car. How about one mirror for your bike?

Why would you want to know what is behind you? Well, it is good to know your options.

So check your mirror

• before occupying a different part of the lane;
• before entering an intersection;
• to see if your group is too big (8- 10 bicycles max) and needs to split up;
• to check if there are storm clouds;
• to find a break in traffic to change lanes;
• to see if your buddy is suffering;
• when you hear “Car Up” to see if there is also a “Car Back”;
• to see if you are faster that that dog chasing you.

Amazing! All that from a little mirror!

I use the “Take A Look” mirror mounted on my glasses. It gives a bigger picture than a car mirror, and I can tilt and rotate my head to see in different directions. It easily moves from bike to bike because it fits on my glasses. There are no vibrations that could distort vision.

For flat bar bikes I recommend the Mirrycle bar end mirror. My back seat passenger on the tandem enjoys that one.

I equipped my touring bike with Mirrycle’s road bike mirror that mounts on STI shifters. It puts the mirror in a good spot.

Cycle Aware makes a little dot of a mirror that mounts on the inside of your sunglasses. I’ve never tried it but if aerodynamics is your top priority then check it out and tell me how you like it. Go with whatever works for you.