Help & FAQs    Search BCF    Members    Groups    Events Calendar
Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Anyone here been SMIDSY'd while wearing Hi-Viz?

 Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

y2blade
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 20 Apr 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 11:19 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Anyone here been SMIDSY'd while wearing Hi-Viz? Reply with quote
As per title.

A topic raised on another forum, some seem to believe that if you are wearing Hi-Viz on your Motorbike you won't have anyone pull out across your path!

My opinion is "If other road users aren't looking it won't make any difference what you are wearing"

thoughts?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Sable
World Chat Champion



Joined: 27 Jul 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 11:25 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Never been SMIDSY'd period. Doesn’t seem to make any difference if I am wearing Hi Vis or not on how many people pull across my path in London. I still wear it on dull days in the hope it makes a difference.

Like you say ~

Quote:
"If other road users aren't looking it won't make any difference what you are wearing"


Pretty much that.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

WindyMiller
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 02 Nov 2011
Karma :
PostPosted: 11:29 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
no, but I know not everybody sees me, they just haven't hit me yet.

To argue that hi vis is somehow magic and means you'll never be SMIDSY'd while wearing it is retarded. People hit things much bigger and more obvious than bikes every day. I think it helps, not everyone agrees, that's fine.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to quantify how many drivers saw you and didn't pull out only because you were wearing hi vis. Unless there are any statistics on clothing worn by SMIDSY victims, we'll just have to debate it ad nauseum on internet forums.
____________________
YBR125 SV650S Triumph Sprint ST 1050
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Doovy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 11:32 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've never worn a hi-viz.

Still here Thumbs Up
____________________
Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

y2blade
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 20 Apr 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 11:34 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Doovy wrote:
I've never worn a hi-viz.

Still here Thumbs Up


Me neither


same so far Surprised
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Sable
World Chat Champion



Joined: 27 Jul 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 11:38 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Doovy wrote:
I've never worn a hi-viz.

Still here Thumbs Up


After my care free use of the phrase 'I haven’t had a puncture in 5 years of riding' 2 weeks ago, followed by last weeks caffluffle, I dare not say what you just said right there. Embarassed
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

yaigi
World Chat Champion



Joined: 28 Jul 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 11:43 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
WindyMiller wrote:
People hit things much bigger and more obvious than bikes every day


Exactly. I was once on a coach a woman hit - it wasn't even a case of she didn't stop in time. She was actually stationary at a junction, the coach was driving down the road she wanted to pull out on and came to a stop. At the point the coach stopped she pulled out into it - hit the very middle of the side of it. How she didn't see a big fuck off coach RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER was beyond me Rolling Eyes
____________________
What would you do in life, if you knew you could not fail?
Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Doovy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 11:44 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
If I don't post again by tomorrow you know my fate Laughing
____________________
Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Rogerborg
nimbA



Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 12:02 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
y2blade wrote:
some seem to believe

[weasel words][citation needed]

Hi vis, blue lights and sirens don't always work. Does that mean that they're always pointless though?

Hi-vis is just tilting the odds just a little more in your favour. If you gamble on having been seen then you'll lose that bet sooner or later, ask Copper Cartwheel up in that video.

SMIDSY weave, eyes on the front wheel, plan for and start an avoidance manoeuvre at every interaction, loose lips sink ships, a stitch in time saves nine, do you believe in life after love?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

James83
Crazy Courier



Joined: 10 Apr 2013
Karma :
PostPosted: 12:11 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
The problem is that SMIDSY has always been missing a few letters. The correct usage is "Sorry mate, I didn't see you, because I didn't look properly". If you are at a junction, turn your head and look up and down the road, you will always see an oncoming bike, regardless of high vis.

If you glance out the corner of your eye, check while also looking at a text message, or just don't look at all, then you may miss an oncoming bike. A high Vis may help with the 'glancers', but the majority are people just not looking, and you and your entire bike could be hot pink and not change that.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

J.M.
World Chat Champion



Joined: 27 Mar 2011
Karma :
PostPosted: 12:13 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
To be honest, I generally tend to plan my entire ride as if every road user hasn't seen me. Probably annoys other road users when I seemingly stop/slow for no reason. But it does mean that all the times that I've been pulled out on I've been able to stop in time. Very Happy
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

y2blade
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 20 Apr 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 12:18 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
J.M. wrote:
To be honest, I generally tend to plan my entire ride as if every road user hasn't seen me. Probably annoys other road users when I seemingly stop/slow for no reason. But it does mean that all the times that I've been pulled out on I've been able to stop in time. Very Happy


Same.

Always treat all other road users as if they are out to get you...haven't seen you....are going to kill you.

one day you might be right
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Islander
World Chat Champion



Joined: 05 Aug 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 12:40 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
James83 wrote:
The problem is that SMIDSY has always been missing a few letters. The correct usage is "Sorry mate, I didn't see you, because I didn't look properly". If you are at a junction, turn your head and look up and down the road, you will always see an oncoming bike, regardless of high vis.

If you glance out the corner of your eye, check while also looking at a text message, or just don't look at all, then you may miss an oncoming bike. A high Vis may help with the 'glancers', but the majority are people just not looking, and you and your entire bike could be hot pink and not change that.


It's not as simple as that. You might want to look up saccades and find out how the eye and brain builds an image up. Introduce movement and the eye will pick it up, remain as an apparently stationary target against a fixed background and the eye may miss it hence the use of the SMIDSY weave. Of course inattention is a contributor but it isn't the whole story.

Rogerborgs earlier post had it about right.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

pepperami
Super Spammer



Joined: 17 Jan 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 13:04 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
I used to work for a local authority on the parks and open spaces side.
I used to drive thier tractors and have been SMIDSY`d when driving a tractor? Confused .

My point being , If some one can pull out on a 9`+ tractor that is painted yellow and has beacons on it and wieghs the best part of four tons, what chance do you think you stand on a motorbike even if you are wearing hi-vis?
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

sebastianw
Spanner Monkey



Joined: 22 May 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 13:14 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
My bike is Kawasaki gree and I always wear hi-vis. The headlight is always on. I Have Been SMIDSY'd
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

MarkJ
World Chat Champion



Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Karma :
PostPosted: 13:19 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
I got SMIDSY'd on one of these in the same colour, side on, on a perfect sunny day in August:
https://www.mcnews.com.au/Wallpaper/Aprilia/Mille/2003/ApriliaMille_R_RHS_Yellow_1024.jpg

With a fucking loud exhaust too.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

...
Brolly Dolly



Joined: 12 Oct 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 13:21 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yep. Hi Vis was being worn, made fuck all difference.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

James83
Crazy Courier



Joined: 10 Apr 2013
Karma :
PostPosted: 13:34 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Islander wrote:
James83 wrote:
The problem is that SMIDSY has always been missing a few letters. The correct usage is "Sorry mate, I didn't see you, because I didn't look properly". If you are at a junction, turn your head and look up and down the road, you will always see an oncoming bike, regardless of high vis.

If you glance out the corner of your eye, check while also looking at a text message, or just don't look at all, then you may miss an oncoming bike. A high Vis may help with the 'glancers', but the majority are people just not looking, and you and your entire bike could be hot pink and not change that.


It's not as simple as that. You might want to look up saccades and find out how the eye and brain builds an image up. Introduce movement and the eye will pick it up, remain as an apparently stationary target against a fixed background and the eye may miss it hence the use of the SMIDSY weave. Of course inattention is a contributor but it isn't the whole story.

Rogerborgs earlier post had it about right.


Sorry, not sure what you're trying to say here. Yes, the brain builds a picture of what its looking at in 'parts'. That doesn't change the fact that if the driver does not look at the scene long enough to see everything in it and identify moving vs not moving, its called a glance, and I did mention that High vis can help with this.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

supZ
World Chat Champion



Joined: 03 Feb 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 13:52 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Manatee wrote:
Yep. Hi Vis was being worn, made fuck all difference.


yup same.

won't go into detail as i've repeated it a number of times but the closest i've ever come to hitting a car that's pulled out in front of me at the last possible second was when i was wearing hi-viz, well lit straight road, no obstructions, i'm the only vehicle approaching.

just before i got to the junction (im talking a couple of metres here) they pull out in front of me). never braked so hard in my life, missed him by inches. was not a happy camper.

if they don't bother to look, they won't see no matter how 'lit up' you are
____________________
CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

J.M.
World Chat Champion



Joined: 27 Mar 2011
Karma :
PostPosted: 13:53 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
James83 wrote:
Sorry, not sure what you're trying to say here. Yes, the brain builds a picture of what its looking at in 'parts'. That doesn't change the fact that if the driver does not look at the scene long enough to see everything in it and identify moving vs not moving, its called a glance, and I did mention that High vis can help with this.


The brain actually builds up an image in your mind with the image that it expects to be there. Other than your direct area of focus your brain will subconsciously fill in the rest of the image with what it expects to be there.

It's also entirely possible to look at an object and your mind doesn't register it because you weren't expecting to see it.

That said, looking at 3 places down a road does improve the image that we see. Look at 1 far place, 1 medium place and 1 close place. We then have more information about the scene in which we are looking at. This can be done quickly but requires practise.

Generally most car drivers look for oncoming cars. If they don't see the car that they were looking for, their brain may not register anything else despite being able to actually see it.

So it's not simple, but looking techniques improve it!
____________________
2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Joncrete Cungle
World Chat Champion



Joined: 31 Jan 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 14:03 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
When my uncle was a traffic cop he told me about a couple of fully liveried up police bikes and riders being smidsyed by car drivers. If they don't look, they don't look no matter how high viz your high viz is.

Headlight on at all times, half decent obs and the smidsy weave have served me well on two wheels. Sadly it didn't work when a dozy woman pulled out in front of a bright yellow fastrac I was driving, if only I had been wearing high viz. Rolling Eyes

https://www.eastern.claas-dealer.co.uk/assets/images/vehicles/634x418/dbd5ca61-10ba-4299-b8b8-a1575ff6e297.jpg
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Rogerborg
nimbA



Joined: 26 Oct 2010
Karma :
PostPosted: 14:21 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Joncrete Cungle wrote:
Sadly it didn't work when a dozy woman pulled out in front of a bright yellow fastrac I was driving, if only I had been wearing high viz. Rolling Eyes
https://www.eastern.claas-dealer.co.uk/assets/images/vehicles/634x418/dbd5ca61-10ba-4299-b8b8-a1575ff6e297.jpg

Should have been weaving it. Very Happy

For me, the weave has 5 benefits:

#1 Might be seen by the twunt in front.
#2 Might even wake up the spaz up my arse and make him think "Uh oh, we've got a live one 'ere".
#3 Puts me in a frame of mind where I'm actively acknowledging the danger from the twunt in front.
#4 Forms the start of an avoidance manoeuvre as I arrive at the ohshit point already moving away from the hazard.
#5 Is lulz.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

noobRider
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Sep 2012
Karma :
PostPosted: 14:40 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
My wife was SMIDSY'd in her car by some bloke who was looking at a tasty motorbike Smile
____________________
Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

James83
Crazy Courier



Joined: 10 Apr 2013
Karma :
PostPosted: 14:42 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
J.M. wrote:
The brain actually builds up an image in your mind with the image that it expects to be there. Other than your direct area of focus your brain will subconsciously fill in the rest of the image with what it expects to be there.

It's also entirely possible to look at an object and your mind doesn't register it because you weren't expecting to see it.

That said, looking at 3 places down a road does improve the image that we see. Look at 1 far place, 1 medium place and 1 close place. We then have more information about the scene in which we are looking at. This can be done quickly but requires practise.

Generally most car drivers look for oncoming cars. If they don't see the car that they were looking for, their brain may not register anything else despite being able to actually see it.

So it's not simple, but looking techniques improve it!


That's a very elegant and accurate description of how it works, but what I meant was - I don't see how it applies to what I said. My point is that a high vis is only going to help when people are glancing. Anyone who does as you have described above is glancing. I'm not arguing that it doesn't happens, nor that a high vis wouldn't reduce the risk of it.

Is the point you are making that someone could take a proper look and not see an oncoming vehicle due to the above? I disagree if so. The brain will take in the entire scene if you give it sufficient time to do so. If its still 'filling in the blanks' as it were, then I don't accept that the driver gave it enough time and as such, the didn't look properly.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

James83
Crazy Courier



Joined: 10 Apr 2013
Karma :
PostPosted: 14:43 - 16 May 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
noobRider wrote:
My wife was SMIDSY'd in her car by some bloke who was looking at a tasty motorbike Smile


Is that better or worse than having your bike SMIDSY'd by some bloke who is looking at your tasty wife?
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 13 years, 35 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3

 
 You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 
Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.14 Sec - Server Load: 1.16 - MySQL Queries: 13 - Page Size: 135.01 Kb