SMIDSY versus SMIDC

[AD345]

Finally got to get out for a ride yesterday so me and a mate shot up to Parua Bay for lunch. Taking the alternate routes its a nice run of about 300 miles round trip (American speedo)

Traffic wasn't too bad, especially off SH1 and the weather held off to combine for a nice day out.

There was an interesting aspect however. We ran down SH1 from Whangarei to Wellsford on the way back for a couple of reasons, one of which was to test a theory of ours. We wanted to see if there really is a difference between visibility (SMIDSY - Sorry Mate I didn't See You) and perception (SMIDC - Sorry Mate I Don't Care).

Both of us have the same model of bike (Victory Kingpin) but my mate has the windscreen with LED strips and LED (Bright) running lights as well as panniers, top box and what have you. Mine is more stripped down - no screen, luggage or running lights and much smaller indicators.

In order to run our experiment we took turns at being the lead bike and just waited to see what would happen as we came up behind a line of cars - and there were heeeaps of lines of cars being one of the big change-over days of the hoidays.

We ran down the line to Wellsford and then stopped to compare - the evidence was pretty compelling and we both agreed on what we had observed.

My mate - lit up like a Christmas tree coming up to cars, about half pulled over to let him past and at least 2 (he reckoned 3) gave a little wobble of the "shit, where did that come from" when he went by.

Me - black leather and chrome, every car except one that I came up behind pulled over to let me past and the one exception was fairly obviously oblivious to everything short of nuclear weaponry.

I officially declare the death of SMIDSY and the birth of SMIDC.

[Subike]

I find similar reactions from drivers depending upon which of my bikes I ride in the city.
Both are the same model
one is black, modified and loud,
Cars avoid it and I can filter with no problems.
the other is std, red/white, quiet and sedate looking,
I have to be more aware of SMIDSY drivers on this bike
filtering is done with heaps more caution.
Why?
Is one a threat, the other just another bike?
SMIDC, yup agree.

[iYRe]

Was talking to a mate about this the other day. He rides a VStrom and has visibility stuff up the wazoo. I have an Intruder and wear black.
I rarely do not get seen.

He was saying that research shows that people in cars are more likely to notice a police bike (duh) or a "biker" (someone who looks like they will stop and smash their heads in if they get in the way).
So basically, because I am a big guy, on a loud "harley looking bike" dressed in black leather, they will see me before they see him in his fluro. So, all you sports/adventure/etc riders are invisible :P

Interestingly, cycling (pedal) research shows that people are more likely to notice a cyclist without a helmet and adjust their driving accordingly. For example, with helmet people assume I am protected and pass me dangerously and pull in and turn in front etc.. with no helmet they give me a wider berth and are less likely to pull in or turn in front etc..


So yeah... science says SMIDC - unless you're likely to give em a ticket or punch their face in you're invisible.

(also.. I want your bike!!! :P)

[AD345]

yeah I have suspected it for a while

It has been particularly evident in light to moderate traffic on the motorway. I do very little lane changing, most cars move out of my way as I come up to them whereas a friend of a Ducai Monster with ....more colourful clothing is zippng and zapping like a madwoman across the lanes

[AD345]

(also.. I want your bike!!! :P)

There's a few for sale on Trademe - including a black one!

Don't tempt me too much cos I'm thinking about getting a new bike as it is

[iYRe]

There's a few for sale on Trademe - including a black one!

Don't tempt me too much cos I'm thinking about getting a new bike as it is

I'm pretty safe, I'm broke :P

[pritch]

I find that I definitely get treated differently on the Triumph to the moped, although I am prepared to admit to different riding styles on each.

I think SMIDC misses the point slightly, the more succinct FU would be more appropriate to the thought processes of drivers on spotting a moped.

[rastuscat]

I personally find that more people pull over for me when I use a shotgun. The air rifle makes little difference. The shotty doesn't even have to be loaded. I learned it from Mad Max.

[martybabe]

I concur, the same is true in variants of car too. the Bride frequently complained that people pulled out in front of her little city car whereas when she borrowed my Bugatti veyron it was far less of an issue. In any event I think perceived threat has a lot to do with how other drivers react, or, fail to react, to you, even if it is on a subconscious level.

I call 'smypnttmsolsycfro' , Sorry mate you pose no threat to my safety or liberty so you can fuck right off.

[Gremlin]

Mates reckon I look semi official on the BMW, plus it has two spots on low when riding normally. Almost every car on the motorway moves out of the fast lane for me, and on other roads they let me through etc.

I've now started wearing a fluro vest as well, a little, to increase the official look...

Works for me

[Grasshopperus]

Mates reckon I look semi official on the BMW, plus it has two spots on low when riding normally. Almost every car on the motorway moves out of the fast lane for me, and on other roads they let me through etc.

I've now started wearing a fluro vest as well, a little, to increase the official look...

Just need a white helmet and you're done

[wanpo]

Mates reckon I look semi official on the BMW, plus it has two spots on low when riding normally. Almost every car on the motorway moves out of the fast lane for me, and on other roads they let me through etc.

I've now started wearing a fluro vest as well, a little, to increase the official look...

Works for me

You have friends?


I don't seem to have too many problems with people not seeing me, largely black bike, black leathers, helmet and visor. As soon as I put a hi-vis vest on, I've noticed the change in attitude, People cutting me off, ego at the lights, tailgating etc.

[Edbear]

I concur, the same is true in variants of car too. the Bride frequently complained that people pulled out in front of her little city car whereas when she borrowed my Bugatti veyron it was far less of an issue. In any event I think perceived threat has a lot to do with how other drivers react, or, fail to react, to you, even if it is on a subconscious level.

I call 'smypnttmsolsycfro' , Sorry mate you pose no threat to my safety or liberty so you can fuck right off.

People who drive Bugatti Veyron's rarely have issues...

I personally find that more people pull over for me when I use a shotgun. The air rifle makes little difference. The shotty doesn't even have to be loaded. I learned it from Mad Max.

I thought it was the disco lights...

[Jantar]

Some years ago there was a study published in England that showed that there were fewer accidents (in a study sample) involving riders wearing only black as opposed to riders in higher visibility gear.

It was a psychology study rather than a road safety study and I can longer find the links. From memory, the trick cyclists (psychologists) put it down to the brain not needing to identify everything that the eyes see, but merely to regard something in the vision range as a potential threat. Black is regarded as a bigger threat than bright colours.

[oneofsix]

Some years ago there was a study published in England that showed that there were fewer accidents (in a study sample) involving riders wearing only black as opposed to riders in higher visibility gear.

It was a psychology study rather than a road safety study and I can longer find the links. From memory, the trick cyclists (psychologists) put it down to the brain not needing to identify everything that the eyes see, but merely to regard something in the vision range as a potential threat. Black is regarded as a bigger threat than bright colours.

that makes me feel so good I have said all along that black is a primal threat and what the animal part of the human brain is conditioned to react. The pretty yellow or orange hi-viz is reactively seen as friendly and non threatening. The value of hi-viz occurs after you have been seen and thought about all be it for the briefest milli or nano second, only after the brain has been engaged does the hi-viz wearer get perceived as something to avoid. However black is reacted to as something to avoid before they even know they have seen it, especially if it "looms" at them.