How could someone not see me?

[1olbull]

Oww hope your OK there, maybe the disability sticker was because he was blind?

There's been a lot of discussion over here re how car drivers dont see motorcycles and it stems from the "sorry I didn't see you" line. Of course they didn't or they wouldn't have crashed into you...hopefully...and I alway wrote this off as a simple "cop out" line but apparently it actually happens.

It was described to me as follows (this doesn't make the impact hurt any less though) You all see bikes because you ride them and are interested in them, car drivers (who drive nothing else) are usually not interested in bikes. When people pull up to an intersection, or stop sign, they look for danger (naturally) they are looking and you are there but their brain removes your image/presence from the equation as you are not of interest, or a threat to them. This means you are effectively invisible to them at that point. This is why lights-on and hi-vis vests often don't always help, you could have an elephant dressed in a tutu (picture that) on the back and still be invisible. The may also be texting of course.

Very true and testing has shown EXACTLY that!
Check this out:

 

[dougl]

Hyperlites are pretty simple but effective.

 

[Bob R]

Hyperlites are pretty simple but effective.

So are muzzle flashes, but they would probably frown on you blasting the windshield out of every car approaching you from behind when you are stopped. It would be effective though!

bob

 

[albertaduke]

So are muzzle flashes, but they would probably frown on you blasting the windshield out of every car approaching you from behind when you are stopped. It would be effective though!

bob

nothing short of a rocket launcher aimed at a windshield from the rear of a bike when stopped at a light/stop sign or just waiting for that left turn, will make cage driver aware of you, those little brake light flashing when you brake are certainly not awakening the somnolent cager from his enclosed music playing air conditioned four wheel kingdom nor the new riding dayglow vests..
it is a russian roulette every time ... I always look behind when coming to a stop and never stand in the middle of the lane, my belief is I can always pop along the car in front should the the one behind me does not see me. another solution is a red rotating beacon on top of your helmet flashing when stopping ..any body care to try that !!

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

I counted 16 ball passes. Got that right. Nope didn't see the gorilla. I use 4 lights with High side brake lights in the hope traffic behind me actually sees me stopping or stopped. This picture is with just the low side light.

 

[mully95]

I'm thinking about these Skene Design Motorcycle Visibility Lights

They have a Conspicuity Flicker in which "A unique and extremely effective feature of the P3 Lights is their exclusive conspicuity flicker that dramatically increases your bike's visibility compared to normal tail lights"

 

[Wrecka]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune mate, hope your insurance looks after you , if not im willing to give you $500 for it

 

[motolink]

Is there a very bright LED tail light assembly available to replace the stock Roadster tail light.

 

[skydog1000]

I'm thinking about these Skene Design Motorcycle Visibility Lights

They have a Conspicuity Flicker in which "A unique and extremely effective feature of the P3 Lights is their exclusive conspicuity flicker that dramatically increases your bike's visibility compared to normal tail lights"

This is what I have and really like them

 

[sleeves]

Very true and testing has shown EXACTLY that!
Check this out:

Thats so cool saw the gorilla but missed every other change.