Interesting Motorcycle/Car safety report

greatmaul · 12-18-2011, 06:20 AM

It's about 40 pages long and was done for the Department of Transportation in London. Long winded, of course, but very interesting in parts. It talks about psychological and visual tests done on car drivers to determine why they don't see motorcyclists, and what motorcyclists can do about it.

Partly, it stated that high visibility colors do less than we'd expect, daytime running lights are good, and it recommends "lateral weaving" as one of the best ways to attract a driver's attention. Apparently, people see lateral motion very well, so if you're coming towards a left turner, you might want to weave a bit so they'll see you.

Best, of course, is to also expect them not to see you, and prepare to stop.

Here's the link. Maybe since it's winter, we'll all have time to wade through this: "Car Drivers’ Skills and Attitudes to Motorcycle Safety: A Review"
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...me2/rsrr85.pdf

JWR · 12-18-2011, 08:42 AM

What i read a while ago said we were like a sign pole or telephone pole...no width.

People tend to look right thru or over us because they don't see movement that could harm them.

greatmaul · 12-18-2011, 08:47 AM

Right. I think they said when you go from 50 meters away to 30 meters away, you're almost 60 feet closer to them, but only 0.16% larger, visually, so there's really no sense of movement.

Gz Rider · 12-18-2011, 11:17 AM

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Water Warrior 2 · 12-18-2011, 01:05 PM

Lateral movement does work well to attract attention. I do agree with GZ Rider's concerns but I consider them secondary to a cage crossing my path of travel. You can adjust your position relative to oil patches and other vehicles but a confrontation with a left turner can really hurt and that is my primary concern. What it really boils down to is the fact that we have to be extremely vigilant or get hurt.
What I do know is that the GZ is not a lot of bike to see when it is coming straight towards you on the street.

12-18-2011, 06:20 AM	#1
greatmaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 296	Interesting Motorcycle/Car safety report It's about 40 pages long and was done for the Department of Transportation in London. Long winded, of course, but very interesting in parts. It talks about psychological and visual tests done on car drivers to determine why they don't see motorcyclists, and what motorcyclists can do about it. Partly, it stated that high visibility colors do less than we'd expect, daytime running lights are good, and it recommends "lateral weaving" as one of the best ways to attract a driver's attention. Apparently, people see lateral motion very well, so if you're coming towards a left turner, you might want to weave a bit so they'll see you. Best, of course, is to also expect them not to see you, and prepare to stop. Here's the link. Maybe since it's winter, we'll all have time to wade through this: "Car Drivers’ Skills and Attitudes to Motorcycle Safety: A Review" http://webarchive.nationalarchives.g...me2/rsrr85.pdf Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-18-2011, 08:42 AM	#2
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: Interesting Motorcycle/Car safety report What i read a while ago said we were like a sign pole or telephone pole...no width. People tend to look right thru or over us because they don't see movement that could harm them. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..."
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12-18-2011, 08:47 AM	#3
greatmaul Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 296	Re: Interesting Motorcycle/Car safety report Right. I think they said when you go from 50 meters away to 30 meters away, you're almost 60 feet closer to them, but only 0.16% larger, visually, so there's really no sense of movement. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-18-2011, 11:17 AM	#4
Gz Rider Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 852	Re: Interesting Motorcycle/Car safety report ... __________________ *Alert - This person is a douche. Use these comments and advice at your own risk*
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12-18-2011, 01:05 PM	#5
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Interesting Motorcycle/Car safety report Lateral movement does work well to attract attention. I do agree with GZ Rider's concerns but I consider them secondary to a cage crossing my path of travel. You can adjust your position relative to oil patches and other vehicles but a confrontation with a left turner can really hurt and that is my primary concern. What it really boils down to is the fact that we have to be extremely vigilant or get hurt. What I do know is that the GZ is not a lot of bike to see when it is coming straight towards you on the street. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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