Eye contact - best defence there is?

[Lou Girardin]

I've had too many people make eye contact and then pull out to trust this theory.
The only sure way to make sure they give way is to ride a patrol bike. (Perceived threat theory).

[MacD]

I doubt very much whether making eye contact helps drivers see you that much, but every little bit helps. I do think it helps you work out what their next move might be. Does the driver appear to be looking for hazards or have the kids in the back/cell phone/etc distracted them?

[James Deuce]

Eye contact means squat. It's a 50/50 proposition at best. Most car drivers are one-eyed when it comes to motorcyclists, and turn the (other) blind eye to the consequences of spreading amotorcyclist across a couple of lanes. Never rely on anyone in a vehicle with 3 or more wheels to see you.

I would be rich if I had a dollar for every person who looked me in the eye and then pulled out anyway.

[TwoSeven]

Taking the tin box perspective.

I cant see how drivers can see your eyes thru a full face lid. I've tried and best I can do is see part of their face. Even when the visor is pointing straight at me I'm not sure. They have to be real close for me to be able to see eyes.

At the end of the day you just gotta make the move and hope the biker really was looking at you.

[Ghost Lemur]

Taking the tin box perspective.

I cant see how drivers can see your eyes thru a full face lid. I've tried and best I can do is see part of their face. Even when the visor is pointing straight at me I'm not sure. They have to be real close for me to be able to see eyes.

At the end of the day you just gotta make the move and hope the biker really was looking at you.

NO YOU DON"T. You (being traffic coming out of a side street) bloody well wait till said bike has gone past. If it makes it easier imagine said bike is a 18 wheeler or train and then decide if it's worth pulling out in front of to save the extra two seconds.