Rear-view bike mirror

Rear-view bike mirror for increased safety and a healthier back

Rear-view mirrors are an integral part of cars; driving without checking your mirror to see what is behind you is unthinkable! However, mirrors aren't yet the norm when it comes to bikes, and there are many cyclists who don't take this accessory seriously. We think this needs to change! Bike mirrors have more to offer than most people realise; not only do they increase cycling safety, they also support your health. Rear-view mirrors provide you with an additional line of sight, which means you can keep a better eye on your surroundings and don't have to turn your head backwards as often. This can help to significantly reduce or prevent pain in your neck, back and shoulders.

How rear-view bike mirrors increase safety

Having a rear-view mirror on your bike makes it much easier to keep an eye on the traffic behind you. If the mirrors are properly mounted and positioned, you can see whether vehicles are approaching with just a slight movement of your head. This is especially important for challenging traffic situations, e.g. inner-city traffic, as you don't have to take your eyes off the road to get a better overview. This shortens your reaction time. It allows you to recognise dangerous situations sooner and to respond to changes more quickly. Group rides are also much safer with mirrors because it is easier to see where other riders are.

Rear-view mirrors also support back health

Without a bike mirror, you have to look over your shoulder to see what is happening behind you. This involves turning your head a fair way round over your shoulder. Such movement can put a lot of strain on your neck and back. And if you have to look over your shoulder too quickly or frequently, this can result in muscle tension in the neck and shoulder area. Riding over bumps while looking over your shoulder increases the strain even further.
A mirror fitted to your bike reduces this stress on your back, as you can generally manage without turning to look behind you. Plus, the mirror gives you a better overview of the entire traffic situation. So, a rear-view bike mirror is a definite win for your back as well as your safety out on the roads.

One or two rear-view mirrors on your bike?

Whether you need one or two rear-view bike mirrors depends on your personal preferences, your riding style and your surroundings. In most cases, a single rear-view mirror is fine for everyday use. This is normally fitted to the left side of the handlebars, on the side facing the traffic. Having rear-view mirrors on both sides gives you an even better view, but also takes up more space on the handlebars.

A rear-view mirror on your e-bike makes particular sense

What you have read so far about rear-view bike mirrors of course also applies to pedelecs, commonly known as e-bikes. Keeping a good overview on this type of bike is even more important. As the electric drive means you are often travelling at higher speeds, it is all the more important to look safely behind you without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the handlebars. While a rear-view mirror isn't mandatory in Germany for conventional bikes and e-bikes (speeds of up to 25 km/h), it is a requirement for s-pedelecs (speeds of up to 45 km/h).

It all comes down to quality and positioning

Have the advantages of a bike mirror won you over and are you thinking about fitting one to your bike? Then you should definitely keep these tips in mind:
A rear-view bike mirror is only useful if you can position it to optimum effect. As with saddle and handlebar adjustments, which make a big difference to achieving a healthy riding position, the type of mirror you choose and its correct mounting are essential. You should, therefore, only buy a product that can be securely mounted and individually adjusted.
The rear-view mirror should be positioned so that you can see the area behind and to the side of you with minimal movement of your head or eyes. As most traffic situations take place to the left of the bike (in countries with right-hand traffic), this is the preferred side for mounting. The mirror must also be securely fixed in place. A wobbly mirror can even cause you to feel unsafe when riding.
You can find more helpful tips for buying a rear-view bike mirror in our checklist.

Must-have accessories

But back-friendly cycling requires more than a rear-view mirror. The right bike grips, saddle and pedals also matter. And if you have a bike without a pannier rack, you also need a back-friendly bike backpack. The most important thing, however, is to adjust the bike to suit your individual needs. This is a service offered by all good bike shops, but you can easily do it yourself with the right instructions. You can find tips for this on the following AGR website pages:

Checklist

To ensure a healthy and safe sitting posture, the mirror must give you a clear view to the rear with minimal head turning required.
A wide-angle mirror with reduced blind spot extends visibility. This design has the advantage of being more compact in size. You therefore benefit from a manageable yet very functional mirror.
The rear-view mirror must be able to be positioned to suit each individual rider, regardless of their stature, so that they have an optimal field of vision.
The mirror should be easy to mount on a standard bike grip or handlebar without there being a risk of twisting. It should also be possible to make later adjustments to suit individual preferences.
A foldable mirror that retains its original position is not essential but offers clear advantages in terms of manoeuvring and collision protection.
Also make sure that the fitting instructions are good and easy to understand! This makes it easier for you to fit the mirror correctly.
You can find more information on these AGR website pages:

Minimum requirements

Safe rear view without having to twist your body
Wide-angle field of vision
Positioning within line of vision
Mounting that is secure against twisting
Mounting on standard grips and handlebars possible
Adjustable to individual requirements

Also appropriate

Foldable mirror arm
Collision protection

Products in this sector with the AGR seal of approval

Ergon

Ergon RM Touring

Manufacturer

Ergon International GmbH
Universitätsstraße 2
56070 Koblenz
Tel. 0261/899 99 80
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ergonbike.com