Latest 60 Second Safety video - visual memory

[The Spin Doctor]

*** 60 Second Safety *** Now you see me, now you don't
60 Second Safety is a series of short Better Biking tips from Survival Skills Rider Training.



An issue we need to be aware of at junctions is that visual memory is not as simple as 'see something, remember it". Although we will become aware of a vehicle when we spot it, if our attention is pulled away by other vehicles, we can forget we ever noticed the first one.

It's not carelessness it's not poor observation, it's simply how the brain works.

And that means WE have to be on the alert for the issue.

Here's I'm behind another bike approaching a roundabout.

It looks fairly straightforward though the view to the left is obscured. So my first thought is "will a driver see me?"

As I get closer, a van appears on the left. Right now, that driver's got a clear line of sight and should spot me easily but the first bike is crossing his path.

There's a second van coming the other way, which turns right across my path, and there's a car behind it too.

That's three other vehicles that the driver's monitoring whilst I'm out of sight behind the van.

So will the driver remember I'm there?

It's a good idea not to set off at a rush!

[Scootabout]

A useful reminder that we need to put ourselves in the shoes of other road users. It's so easy to just assume 'I have right of way' and plough on in a situation like that one, even if you are normally careful about possible SMIDSies from side roads.

[iansoady]

Yes, absolutely. Particularly useful with low sun behind you / wet roads when you can see them fine but they may be totally blinded. Yes they shouldn't pull out but likely to anyway.

[The Spin Doctor]

Yes, absolutely. Particularly useful with low sun behind you / wet roads when you can see them fine but they may be totally blinded. Yes they shouldn't pull out but likely to anyway.

The trouble is, you can't wait for the sun to set (or rise)...

[slowsider]

Yes, absolutely. Particularly useful with low sun behind you / wet roads when you can see them fine but they may be totally blinded. Yes they shouldn't pull out but likely to anyway.

The trouble is, you can't wait for the sun to set (or rise)...

You may be able to modify your route

[The Spin Doctor]

You may be able to modify your route

But if I went N / S I wouldn't end up where I wanted

Seriously, if you do a ride regularly it's possible... there were a few weeks every year when I used a different route to Lydd from Maidstone because of the rising sun blinding me... I could either go East then South, or South then East. Both caught low sun but at slightly different times. Much the same journey time.

[wheelnut]

Look at the ground in front of you, if you can see your own shadow then those looking at you are looking into the sun.