Hey folks There doesn't seem to be a safety specific forum, so I guess this is as good as anywhere. From my position as a complete novice on a motorbike but a good many years of driving behind me, I've been contemplating a few safety issues. From what I've read, and my experience on the road, it seems one of the prime factors in safe riding is visibility and in an effort to potentially preserve my own skin initially, then hopefully everyone else's, I've had a couple of ideas which I'd welcome comment on, good or bad, if anyone sees fit. I had a simple thought which just grew... Firstly from the rear, I thought I might improve brake light visibility by simply adding a couple of rows of HB LED's around the edges somewhere. This extended to a thought that I could enhance the 'noticibility' when the brake is applied by flashing them a couple of times (really) quickly before they go on steady. Next I contemplated visibility from the rear under normal circumstances without the brake applied and I wondered at the possibility of 'twinkling' the LED's in the supplementary brake light continuously. Not really obviously so it got annoying, but just the merest, barely perceptible, flash in a pseudo-random sequence so it doesn't actually look like it's flashing but still draws the eye. Next came the front- could I extend the same concept to the front, with some white HB LED's mounted in the headlight? Maybe a better idea would be to have them on permanently ala those hideous A4 style front LED's and instead of flickering them on, flicker them off to attract the eye. I detest the add-on so-called 'angel eyes' on cars but maybe that's the way to enhance the front vis, with a ring around the headlight instead of a couple of rows underneath. Implementation is easy, I was a techo before I retired, but I'd welcome thoughts on the practicality and usefulness. Postscript: Maybe just a couple of the flashing lights that pushbike riders use, red rear and white front on the helmet would be simpler and more effective? Would it be legal I wonder? Cheers JM
Hey John Anything goes in the Pub :Thumbs_up: Visability is an interesting subject, I always tell new riders to ride like you have a target on your back and to always have an exit plan, the more you ride, the more this will become 2nd nature, if your riding in the right hand wheel track behind a car, you should be scanning your mirrors to identify an area where you can go if the car in front suddenly breaks, or someone pulls out from a side road. I do like your idea of leds on the rear, it will certainly help visability and shouldnt effect your electrical system as they draw a small load, Im not sure about the front leds, they only look good on Audi's, sorry to all the HSV owners out there. Im not sure I like the flashing lights concept either as people may mistake you for a cyclist. Other things you can do to make yourself more visable is making sure you have a reflector on the rear fender, many riders cut this off going for the fender elminator look which can upset the fuzz olice: They were fitted as standard when the bike was made to conform to Australian Standards. I would also have a good look at what gear you wear, ie jacket with reflective bits on it, maybe even wearing a hivis riders vest over the top of your jacket. There are some stats that say wearing a red helmet will decrease your chances of an accident as well. Something else to considor is a louder exhaust, they say loud pipes saves lives and I fimrly belive a louder exhaust helps bring attention to you while riding, a quick blip of the throttle lets people know you are there ... . makes you aurally visable if you will. Another thing I do is try and make eye contact with drivers who are turning across my lane, if you dont make eye contact with a car that turning into your lane then you have to work on the assumption they havnt seen you. These are a few simple things you can do to enhance your visability. Cheers Chris
an interesting idea, and I really hope it would work, my encounters with other vehicles have not yet produced an accident however on the two occasions it came close, I was sitting at an intersection and had been stationary for more than 5 seconds. In the first incident, a vehicle (Low height SUV driven by a female in her early-mid 40's) pulled up in the lane beside me approximately 7 seconds after I had come to a stop. Approximately 4 seconds after she had come to a stop in line with my bike, she put on her right hand indicator and tried to drive over the top of me. Luckily I caught the flashing indicator and lane split to safety, however in that case I fail to see how she could have missed me as she pulled up at the lights. I had been stationary in the lane beside her for the duration of her stop, on a bright red bike in blue leathers with my brake light engaged. The second time was a similar incident, I had been stationary with my brake light engaed when an SUV, driver unknown, apprached at speed towards me in my lane. Traffic light intersection with a red light, I was vehicle 4 in the que. The SUV approached without any ign of slowing down and again, lane splitting to safety got me out of trouble, meanwhile the SUV that had been coming from behind me nearly locked up in it's attempt to avoid rear-ending the commodore that had been in front of me. In both these incidences, I had been stationary, with my brake light engaged, on clear days with good visibility and little or no glare. I had been wearing blue leathers with 3m reflective piping and had been on a bright red bike. In both circumstances the only way the driver could have failed to notice me is if they were quite literally unaware of the road in front of them. In those circumstances I'm not sure a flashing neon sign covered in lewd imagery would have got the driver's attention. But if it had, or these flashing lights ideas do... I want them!
Do a google search for "brake light modulator". You put them "in line" of your bikes brake light system, when you apply the brakes the module will flash your brake light a few times then stay on untill you release the brake. Each make and module will work a little different, and prices vary a lot. I have spotted LED bars that are brake modulators that complement the normal brakes in a similar way to your idea Depending on laws in your area adding LEDs to your head lights may be illegal. In NSW it's illegal beacuse it may "distract" or "dazzle" oncoming traffic. -_-\ Also beware of what colours you use. You could add an LED driving light to your bike and have it on a separate switch, then flash cagers with it to get their attention - like the highbeams of the deathstar ;D http://www.visionxusa.com/LED-Solstice_Series/c1_48/index.html there's an example. These are bloody good (like I said, highbeams on the deathstar) but expansive. Reflective rim tape is an awesome and cheap way to boost your visibility from the sides Also consider useing the same reflective tape on your helmet for increased visibility at night. The problem with all of this though, is that people wont see you if they don't bother looking at all. People can look right at you and still not "see" you. You are invisible. You need to ride with that in mind, do not count on drivers (and pedestrians even) to see you, you WILL get hit. I have the bruises to prove it .
This is the kind of thing I'm talking about http://2fiftycc.com/http://www.2fiftycc.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=9
Thanks for the comments, people. I take the points about roadcraft and 'passive' visibilty. I'm looking forward to getting some real experience... I hadn't thought of making the front light so bright its dazzling, more eyecatching because of the 'twinkle'. Maybe I'll need a day and night setting. I like the idea of pseudo foglights, too. Cheers JM
Hey Johnm A most interesting subject, am certain most will have a varying view of. You have concerns already, and you haven't hit the highway yet. This is good as you are going to be kept very busy when you do. Riding a motorcycle is invigorating, challenging but above all else, extremely rewarding. :Thumbs_up: The question of visibility is contentious at best. My opinion is this, of course you are visible and these excuses we hear on a regular basis are laughable. Perhaps if they haven't seen you, they shouldn't be on the road. The plain and simple truth is this. When obtaining a license, for a car, truck, motorcycle it seems that we miss the mark completely. A video of incidences that can occur on the road should be compulsory, highlighting the need for constant vigilance's whilst in control of a vehicle, failure to pass this segment may result in not be granted a license. I would also like to see all drivers obliged to pass there driving test in a truck. Why a truck, if for no other reason than the need to use both side mirrors. Majority of people driving a car will of course use the center one , occasionally the right hand one but rarely the left hand one, that's potentially you they missed by not using it. The simple truth is this, if we educate people to be on the look out, we may well substantially reduce the incidence of VISIBILITY ISSUES. That would be a great achievement for all Australians and motorcyclist in general. This is sadly not currently available so use whatever you deem necessary to make yourself more visible, and remain vigilant at all times. Take it easy. Phil
