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During my MSF training, our instructors made it clear that the most important part of riding is the shoulder check. They made us do it all the time.

I now catch myself doing full shoulder checks over both shoulders when I'm simply walking around downtown. I do this every time I start, stop, or move from one side of the sidewalk to the other! I must look like an idiot. Is this unhealthy? Should I see a therapist?

I don't know whether it's neccesary to do so by where you live but around here everyone does it to keep track of the goons who might run up behind them tryna stick em up.

It wasn't required in our actual class 6 test but I'm greatful that so much emphasis was but on it. I'm sure there's a good chance it could save my life some day. You never know with some of those seniors still behind the wheel.

Just use it to check to see if people are about to plow into you, then you pull out if you see they're going to.


Oh and use it when changing lanes too. People who only use their mirrors and then almost run me down "pee" me off.

I always shoulder check... I usually turn my head and look in my car too. I'd say it is better to overdo it then not do it at all and I can't stand people who don't look before changing lanes.

On a bike AND in a car, the shoulder-check is a good thing. While walking down the sidewalk...people may think you're that "paranoid guy who forgot his medicaiton".

And that, my friends, is a good person to be.

Never know when you'll catch the glare from a sniper scope in the 12th story of the building down the road.


Anyways, yah I thought it was common knowledge for a long time to turn your head in a car to check your blind spots. But a lot of people only use their mirrors and then they're oh-so surprised when you lay on the horn and give them the finger.

I don't think I'd have the balls to change lanes without turning my head. I'm not rich enough for that.

Are you guys all crazy? If you do a head check in your car you'll drop the cell phone propped between your sholder and your ear.

scanevalexec wrote:Are you guys all crazy? If you do a head check in your car you'll drop the cell phone propped between your sholder and your ear.

It's okay....the open newspaper in the lap will catch it!

Head check walking and driving. Not often when riding though, i have more important things to worry about. Like thos rocks in front of my or that mud pit or that ditch. When i'm puting the bike away, or just pulling out of the driveway, i do check left and right like iu was at an intersection. The only time i really ever check when i'm on the trail is when i have someone behind me, but i'm usually conent to follow. I think that i need to take the ARC next spring just to get a few more skills and brush up on the old ones.