Last Updated:
February 2026
Two Cycling Safety Tools I Trust at 70 (Mirror + Radar)
I’ve ridden a long time. And the older I get, the more I care about one thing: awareness.
Some cycling “safety” advice is vague. This post isn’t. It’s two tools that solve the same problem in different ways:
what’s coming up behind you.
Quick Take
If you ride roads with distracted drivers, the two most meaningful upgrades you can make are a rearview mirror
and a rear-facing radar. One helps you see what’s back there. The other helps you know
what’s coming—before it’s close.
Why I Prioritize “What’s Behind Me”
Most scary moments on a bike aren’t potholes or climbs. It’s the sudden realization that a car is right there—close, fast, and
sometimes unpredictable.
I can’t control traffic. But I can control how much warning I get—and how calm I stay when cars approach.
1) Take-A-Look Mirror (So You Don’t Have to Turn Your Head)
A rearview mirror is the simplest “safety upgrade” I know. The Take-A-Look clips onto your glasses and lets you check behind you
without drifting, wobbling, or doing that risky shoulder twist.
Why this matters:
• You stay straight and steady
• You don’t have to guess if a car is coming
• You get constant awareness, not “quick panic glances”
Here’s my honest endorsement: I’ve ridden with this mirror for over a decade. Hundreds and hundreds of rides.
Same mirror. Same job. Still works. I trust it.
Check Price: Take-A-Look Mirror
2) Garmin Varia Radar (So You Get Early Warning)
If the mirror is about seeing, the Garmin Varia is about early warning.
It’s rear-facing radar that detects vehicles approaching from behind and alerts you long before the car is right on top of you.
Important (and honest) clarification
The Varia doesn’t stop cars. It gives you time. And time is what keeps you calm.
That time lets you:
• move slightly right (without panic)
• brace for wind and noise
• prepare mentally instead of being startled
• hold your line and ride smoother
For rural roads, highways, and long stretches with limited shoulder, that warning is huge. It doesn’t make you “invincible.”
It makes you ready.
Why the Mirror + Varia Combo Works
These aren’t redundant. They complement each other.
• The mirror shows what’s happening now
• The Varia warns about what’s coming next
Together, they reduce sudden scares, unnecessary head turns, and that constant “tight” feeling you get when you’re waiting for the next car.
Safer matters—but so does calmer.
Optional Add-On: A Helmet You’ll Actually Wear
I’ll say this plainly: a good helmet matters. Not the cheapest one. Not the one that “came with the bike.”
A helmet that fits properly and feels good enough that you wear it every ride.
I wear the Giro Fixture MIPS II. Multiple colors and sizes, and you can browse other styles on the same page.
Optional Add-On: Giro Fixture MIPS II Helmet
Who This Advice Is For
If you’re a road rider—especially a senior cyclist—or you ride alone on roads where drivers aren’t always paying attention,
these two tools are worth considering.
- You ride rural roads, highways, or long stretches with limited shoulder.
- You hate surprises from behind.
- You want to ride calmer, not clenched up and tense.
Bottom Line
You can’t control traffic. You can’t control distracted drivers.
But you can give yourself better awareness—and a little more peace of mind. For me, these are two of the most valuable safety tools I’ve ever added.
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