For e-bike riders, one of the cheapest upgrades may also be one of the most reassuring.
In an online discussion, riders overwhelmingly agreed that a small handlebar mirror can make an enormous difference in how safely and confidently they navigate traffic.
Here's what to know
The original poster who started the thread in r/ebikes on Reddit, "When I got my ebike I started looking at safety features I hadn't really thought of before. The best decision was to add a rear view mirror to my left handlebar. It's really surprising how much more aware I am with that one small addition."
One commenter described, "Mirrors save lives. This is an absolute must have."
Another person said, "I'm a little hard of hearing so it's essential. I actually have one on both handlebars. It's taken a lot of anxiety away from riding."
People in the thread also compared bar-mounted mirrors with the small kind attached to helmets. The OP said the helmet version can still be useful, but they view it more as a backup than a substitute for a handlebar mirror.
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How can handlebar mirrors help?
Small safety improvements can make people more willing to ride more often. That can translate to saving money on driving and cutting fuel use.
E-bikes often share roads with cars, buses, and faster-moving bike traffic, but it can be difficult to keep track of what is happening behind them.
Thankfully, this fix isn't a major bike overhaul or an expensive technology package. Instead, this simple add-on, which can cost very little, can noticeably change the riding experience.
More than one commenter argued that mirrors ought to be included from the start, particularly on bikes meant for road use. And for some riders, the clearer rear view improved decision-making at intersections and made lane positioning or passing maneuvers feel less risky.
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