I've seen the Brainy Bike Lights mentioned elsewhere.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
"Could tricks from behavioural science make city cycling safer?"
(6 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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Apart from the extended advertisement for a set of bike lights, which might have a short-term novelty effect, I think the main problem with the article is that it starts from and accepts the assumption that "Drivers are essentially on auto-pilot. The brain is operating on a system one, intuitive level, making snap decisions."
I'm not sure that's true but even if it were, there is surely only a limited role for compensatory adaptation by other road users. We seem to have reached a stage where the effects of novelty clothing - hi viz - and other types of novelty lighting - blinkies - have worn off so I can't say that I see much long term benefit from this novelty.
No, I'd rather we didn't accept driving around on autopilot. I'd rather we insisted that driving is a serious business that needs your active attention.
Posted 10 years ago # -
To answer the question in a single word: no.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm with Instography in thinking that this may present only a temporary benefit, but not with him on thinking that we can prevent driving around on autopilot.
It's not that it's impossible to do, but rather that not everyone can expect to be a pilot or a fighter pilot yet society expects anyone to be a driver. I don't think society will accept driving being done only by the elite, so driving will continue to be done by the distracted amateur with little comprehension of physics.
Actually, re-reading Inst's post, I'm applying a higher standard than simply "active attention", however I'm not sure we can get to even that stage!
I think we need engineering and fail-safe solutions to avoid the human weak link, not expecting the human to be more aware...
Robert
Posted 10 years ago # -
I think that's very different from hi-viz or flashy lights. Rather than saying look!, look!, look! that light says bicycle!.
I find whenever I come across something unusual or unexpected on the road it takes me a fraction of a second longer to work out what it is*. I see it, my brain sees it, but as it doesn't expect it or hasn't seen it regularly enough it can't autopilot a response and instead requires me to engage with things properly - which takes longer.
*Obviously I expect bicycles, and obviously I drive in such a way that I can cope with the unexpected, and obviously everyone should drive like that...
Posted 10 years ago # -
In any case, it's the wrong question. The stats show that city cycling is some of the safest cycling there is, especially away from busy main roads. Somewhat counter-intuitively, it is rural cycling that is more hazardous, especially where there is no alternative to using a fast road. This is all related to the speed at which motor vehicles are travelling. In cities they generally can't go that fast.
Posted 10 years ago #
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