The Problem - Cyclist Visibility & Our Solution

Drivers give many reasons for having accidents with cyclists. They say "I just didn't see the cyclist" or "some car lights distracted me and I never saw the cyclists lights" says BeSeenOnABike MD Chris Street. At night, by UK law, you must use a white front & rear lights and a red rear reflector. But this is often not enough to be seen by motorists!

Drivers can be blind to cyclists Drivers may be looking but sometimes they just don't see cyclists! Chris Street says that "cyclists are in competition with other road users to get motorists' attention. This behaviour is known as inattentional blindness - the driver may see other cars, lorries or pedestrians but don’t see a cyclist!"

 

Drivers often Daydream Chris says "sometimes drivers daydream - they not attend to anything much on the road - they are lost in their own thoughts (‘circular thoughts’ ). How often have you driven a car and later cannot remember ‘road by road’ the route by which you got to your destination?"

Drivers negative attitudes to Cyclists Often drivers attitudes to cyclists are largely negative (TRL Research). "When motorists perceive cyclists they become a minor irritant on their radar, but without prompting, cyclists don't feature much on the drivers radar at all" says David Earl

Many car drivers are inattentive or downright negative to cyclists. That’s when cyclists are most vulnerable.

The Solution - 'Survival of the Brightest'

Cyclists must GRAB motorists attention: Chris Street at BeSeenOnABike says that "getting drivers attention for cyclists can be a matter of 'the Survival of the Brightest'. Cyclists must grab.. grab .. motorists attention - for a split second. Enough time for the driver to attend to (or 'see') the cyclist and take action to avoid having an accident. An exceptionally bright cyclist may bring the motorist 'back into the present' and allow him to actually SEE the cyclist."

The Highway Code Rule 45 says "cyclists should use reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark." Rule 46 says " at night you cycle MUST have front and rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector & amber pedal reflectors if manufactured after October 1995. White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen."

With reflective gear the motorist will actually see his car headlights reflected back to him (brighter than anything powered by four AA batteries!).

Highway Code (Rule 45) says "you should wear fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light".

During the day, when 80% of cycling accidents happen, fluorescent gear brightness is powered by the Sun (also a lot brighter than anything powered by four AA batteries!)

Chris Street says “most postmen & policemen on bikes (or at least their safety officers) are aware of getting motorists attention by wearing something bright – it’s a shame that many other cyclists don’t seem to appreciate the vital importance of the slogan ‘Be Safe – Be Seen!’.” These high visibility (conspicuity) tactics gives the cyclist the best chance of avoiding accidents with motorists. Being seen can be a matter of life or death! top