What do you guys think about big screens on cargo bikes? Are they helpful or distracting?

Posted by National-Land-4489@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 25 comments

Was at a bike event last month and saw a bunch of cargo bikes. And like while testing my bike out I noticed this longtail that had a big screen on the handlebars and it was showing a live camera feed from the back of the bike.

Couldnt test ride it because the queue was long and I was already leaving but I snapped this picture and asked someone at the stand and they said its a rear camera so you can see whats behind you while riding.

As a mom whos been looking into cargo bikes for school runs, I actually liked the idea alot. Like instead of turning your head and looking over your shoulder to check traffic with your kid on the back you can just glance down at the screen. That does sound safer to me honestly.

But then I am not sure because a big screen could also be kinda distracting? Can make your eyes off the road? What do you guys think about them?

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Relative-Display-676@reddit

Go big or go home! 😁

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Rogue_Wraith@reddit

I see absolutely no reason for this to exist.

I have no reason to restrict others from using it, but I just don't see the point for me.

I almost never look behind me when riding unless I'm about to make a lane change or turn that would require it.

It's no different than when I'm driving - there's essentially nothing I can do with that information, so I choose not to gather it.

The only real difference is that, when I'm riding, I can hear vehicles approaching me from the rear...but, even then, due to where I ride there's nothing to be done with that information.

When I get older and less flexible I may choose something like TriEyes to limit the amount I have to turn my neck...but I stilm wouldn't want this "one more electronic thing to break" on my bike.

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TRAKRACER@reddit

I have rear views in 2 of my three Es. The don’t replace mirrors

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TRAKRACER@reddit

Big screens are like big breasts. The bigger the better… brummmmski

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unseenmover@reddit

Nay. I like to keep things simple.

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trtsmb@reddit

Distracting. It also probably really screws with night vision.

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bobowhat@reddit

Personally, I think it's a distraction, but not because of the video. To use it, you need to keep looking down instead of ahead.

An AR/HUD setup would be good.

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rodrigoelp@reddit

Wait, I am trying to understand your argument... Are you saying that AR would be better in what sense? most of the AR glasses I have worn make you look up and away to focus on the information otherwise it is not in your immediate view.

How is that different to... you know, just glancing down (that people tend to do either way, that's the reason mirrors are placed on the handlebar)?

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bobowhat@reddit

It comes down to peripheral vision. A HUD /AR in the right position allows you to focus on it long enough to get the information you need without blocking your forward vision.

Raised mirrors do a similar function.

The screen in the picture would require looking down, limiting your forward view to a few feet.

To give an example that most have done, what happens when you look down to read a text on your phone while walking forward.

There is a reason things like speedometers are kept in the eye line when driving forward and all three mirrors are minor head movements in a car.

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ToothyBeeJs@reddit

Same argument would be made about mirrors?

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bobowhat@reddit

Depends on the height. If you can glance at them, they're a minor distraction. Where that screen is placed, you have to look down.

Last set of mirrors I had were just at the bottom of my visual area when looking strait ahead. I say last set because I haven't put mirrors on my current bike yet (just got it used and have to get it serviced).

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Fantastic_Key_8906@reddit

It looks good on that one.

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TJBurkeSalad@reddit

I hate it. I put tape over most of my screen. Shit bliss me at night.

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cj191@reddit

I don't get the anxiety about getting distracted by the large shiny screen. The whole entire visual field is much much larger in comparison. And being on a bike forces you to pay immediate and constant attention to everything else that is happening in the real world outside of the screen in the middle of your handlebars.

I don't get distracted from the huge-ass screen in the dashboard in my car when i am driving. I even have one of those rearview mirror dashcam in one of my cars and that doesn't distract me from driving properly either.

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JustTheBeerLight@reddit

That is pretty slick. It could be 10-20% smaller though.

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ToothyBeeJs@reddit

I installed a rear view camera and screen on my bike and I dig it.

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National-Land-4489@reddit (OP)

Thank you this helps. Also how big is your screen? And how is its visibility in direct sunlight?

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ToothyBeeJs@reddit

https://a.co/d/01dDPo5S

Visibility is pretty good. Mirrors are better, but all I see is my arm.

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rodrigoelp@reddit

I wish I had a screen like that on mine.

If the camera is pointing to the front it would be quite helpful to understand where the bike ends. There has been times I stop for a traffic light for someone to tell me I am too far out (I got a urban arrow, and with the canopy/suncover, you lose the feeling of where it ends.

It can also help if the camera is pointing back... there has been times I am pushing the bike, just to realise there is someone behind me in the bike lane, desperate to pass me.

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National-Land-4489@reddit (OP)

Thanks for detailed answer. I also think it makes sense to have camera + feed. But then a few people said it might be a little distracting. So I was expecting answers from everyday riders. This helps alot.

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rodrigoelp@reddit

The best way I have to explain this one is, if you find the screen distracting in a car, you wouldn't be driving for long without crashing as your priorities are somewhere else.

The same thing applies to riding a bicycle with a screen like this. You wouldn't be staring at the screen all the time as you will crash or falling of it.

Peripheral vision does wonders when you are a rider that is quite in tune with the ride. There will be time you won't be looking at it at all, and there will be other times the peripheral vision tells you to look down to understand what might be coming/approaching you.

I would understand if people would find it distracting because it is playing a netflix... but the camera is just showing you the live feed, it shouldn't be more entertaining than the actual road you have in front of you.

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