Why the shoulder check matters
Before you move out around a parked car, change position or turn, it helps to know what is behind you. A quick glance over the shoulder tells you whether a vehicle or rider is close, so you can wait, signal and move at the right moment. Many riders find it harder than it sounds, because turning the head often turns the shoulders, and the bike follows the shoulders, so the bike swerves.
The good news is that it is a skill that can be learned in small steps. It is also one that depends on a stable bike and a calm approach, so do not rush it.
Why bikes wobble when you look back
A bike steers where the front wheel points, and your arms, shoulders and hips are all linked to the handlebars. When you turn your head far, your upper body tends to follow. This twists the shoulders, and one arm pushes while the other pulls, nudging the bars. The result is a small turn of the front wheel and a drift to one side.
Other causes include gripping too tightly, which transmits every body movement to the bars, and riding too slowly, where a bike is less stable. Nervousness also plays a part: expecting to wobble can make you tense and make it happen.
The aim is to separate the head from the arms, so that you can turn your head and neck while the upper body stays quiet and the bars stay straight. This separation is the same idea as in bike-body separation, which describes how the bike and body can move somewhat independently.
Set up for success
- Check your bike and fit. A bike that is too small or too large, or has loose bars, makes control harder. If you aren’t sure, a bike shop can help.
- Relax your grip. Hold the bars firmly but not tightly, with soft elbows. A relaxed, neutral position, like the one described in neutral riding position, helps.
- Ride at a modest, steady speed. Very slow riding is less stable, but fast riding is less forgiving. Choose a comfortable middle pace in a safe place.
- Use both hands to start. Keep both hands on the bars during early practice, and place your fingers near the brakes.
- Wear a helmet and ride somewhere flat, quiet and free of traffic and pedestrians.
A step-by-step drill
Work through these in order. Stop if you feel unsteady, and go back a stage.
- Find a straight line. Use a painted line, a kerb edge or a chalk line in a quiet car park or path to keep your focus on a target.
- Look ahead. Ride along the line, fixing your eyes on the far end. This is the same principle explained in visual focus.
- Turn only the head. Slowly turn your head to one side, a little at a time, then return to the front. Keep the shoulders still and the arms soft. The first few times, you may only glance a short way.
- Add shoulder rotation gradually. As you gain confidence, let your upper body turn slightly to bring your eyes further around, while your hips and arms stay as quiet as you can manage.
- Look back, then forward again. Keep the glance brief. Staring behind is both unnecessary and unsafe, because you are not seeing what lies ahead.
- Try both sides. Most people find one side easier. The right and left are both useful, depending on the side where traffic passes you locally.
- Repeat. A few repetitions at a time, with rests, helps more than a long session.
If you find yourself veering, slow your head movement, loosen your arms and try again. Do not respond to a wobble by clamping the bars.
Use a signal and a glance together
In traffic, the shoulder check is often combined with a hand signal. Many riders glance back, signal, then glance again just before moving. Practise the combination only after the single skill feels comfortable, and do it first at low speed in a quiet place, as signalling with one hand needs balance as well. For the basics of signalling, see cycling hand signals. If you do not feel steady enough to take a hand off, it is better to slow down or stop.
Alternatives and aids
Some riders use a small mirror on the handlebar, bar end or helmet, which can reduce how often they need to turn around. A mirror shows only part of the picture and takes getting used to, and it is not always a replacement for a direct look, especially when judging the speed of what is approaching. Do not hold your attention on a mirror at the expense of what’s in front.
If a stiff neck or limited movement makes it hard to look back, take it seriously. Speak to a doctor or qualified professional if you have a medical concern, and ask a qualified instructor about adaptive options. Stopping and checking before you move is always an option.
Using it in the real world
Once the drill feels comfortable, bring it into quiet streets. Do your shoulder check early, with plenty of time, rather than at the last second. Look, decide, signal and move smoothly, and if the situation is unclear, wait. Predictable movement helps others, as explored in predictable riding.
Progress at your own speed. Practising in a safe place and gradually building up helps the skill become automatic, and no amount of practice makes riding risk-free.