As an experiment, you could buy one or two small round mirrors and stick them to the back of a pair of gloves. They sell wide angle 2in. diameter mirrors with adhesive backing designed to stick in the corner of truck mirrors. They're pretty cheap and you can find them at any auto parts store. Give them a try and tell us how it works. I'd test it myself, but I don't have a bike.

Problem is that any time you want to look behind yourself you have to accurately align the mirror. Doing this at any speed is a great way to take your eyes off the things in the really immediate future that you should be evaluating. Probably best to install a fixed mounted rear view mirror on your helmet or handle bars.

Here's the thing that changes the paradigm: you don't need to see anything with accuracy. It's nearly a binary thing. Is there something behind me that is going to run me down or not? I have used light reflected from the inside of my rims (at dusk), I have done the same with the back of my hand. If it shows light, there is a car with headlights behind me. Pilsner: for me, the problem of having a fixed mirror is that it makes you conform to it. You can use the handmounted reflector to position for even peripheral vision. Thanks for your comments.

A small dome shaped mirror doesn't have to be aligned accurately. It provides a very wide angle view. A very domed mirror would give you a good view in almost position. Ideally, you would want something even smaller than 2" so it would fit better on the hand. Maybe 1" or 1 1/2". Mylar might work okay, but would actually need better positioning than a small dome. Also, the dome would have less distortion, giving you a better idea of what you're seeing.

Hey, Dwane, I like your idea about the dome mirror.

I do agree that a better solution to rear traffic is needed.

Just a mylar glove won't work, though, because you wouldn't even have enough resolution to see if you have a reflection that is actually behind you on the road or what.

I think the convex mirror stuck to a glove is good but annoying. Closer to your face would give you a better field of view--I've seen them on a 'stick' coming out from the helmet, but I've never used one of those. I bet those work?

But we've suggested rear-facing cameras here for cars many times--the need to be aerodynamic and the fact that a cyclist doesn't use a navigation system (which would have to share the display) both seem to make a camera (on the seat post?) a better fit for a bicycle?