When is it necessary to check your mirrors while riding?

Checking your mirrors is necessary at various times while riding a motorcycle, with one critical moment being when you are stopped at an intersection. This practice allows you to maintain situational awareness and ensure that you are aware of any vehicles or hazards approaching from behind. Being vigilant about your surroundings is essential for safety, as it helps you identify potential threats, such as a car coming up too quickly behind you. By checking your mirrors, you can make informed decisions and react more effectively to any changing conditions, ensuring your safety and that of others on the road.

While it is also important to check mirrors when changing lanes or making turns, those actions are more about preparing for the specifics of your maneuver rather than a general safety check. Similarly, while checking mirrors during acceleration can be beneficial, it is primarily at stops that attention to the environment around you is critical, making that moment especially important for safety.