A short demonstration of the effectiveness of cyclists wearing hi-viz clothing when cycling.
Perhaps I should have rung my bell?
6
Replies
·
0
Boosts
@robpumphrey "Sorry, mate, didn't see you."
It reminds me of that old "Think once, think twice, think bike" campaign, though that was more about motorbikes, I think. There seems to be a genuine effect where if it's not a car (or bus or van etc) drivers just don't see it. Their brain is focused on checking for those at a junction and not for bikes, or motorbikes. We know people can truly not see something in plain sight if focusing on looking for something else. How we fix it, I don't know.
@beecycling
I have concluded that when cycling, you should assume you are totally invisible to all other road users.
@robpumphrey Definitely. That advice to make eye contact where possible with drivers at junctions etc is useful I think, though not perfect. It's the only way to be reasonably confident that they know you're there.
@beecycling @robpumphrey Two options:
1. Make eye contact.
2. Look at the wheels.
Watching the cars wheels I find is better because as soon as that car begins to move, even slightly forwards, you as the cyclist spot it instantly. The faster you can see what's happening the safer you'll be.
If you wait for eye contact with the driver to check that they've seen you (which may never happen) it'll take longer for you the cyclist to notice if the car starts moving out.
@Rastal @robpumphrey oh I definitely ride defensively like that, and assume that everyone else on the road is an idiot with terrible eyesight. 😁 And has definitely not seen me.
I don't claim cyclist are immune from this selective blindness either. I've definitely had 'wait, there's a bike' moments when about to pull out at junctions, because I was so focused on looking at the cars.
