36 Riders Explain How to Increase Conspicuity

“I didn’t see him/her,” is what cops often hear when investigating a motorcycle accident. What do you do to ensure other drivers see you?

 

conspicuityHere’s how these experienced Motorcycle Mojo fans responded.

 

 

36 Riders explain how to increase conspicuity

 

  1. Pam B. Yellow helmet, reflective tape on back of jacket, never ride in blind spot and make eye contact.

 

  1. Darlene D. I try to be as conspicuous as possible, give myself good space margins and the most advantageous lane positioning.

 

  1. Ursula B. I shine and sparkle in the sun a bit! (Swarowski crystals) I use my horn once in a while too! :0

 

  1. Roni C. I have pony tails on my helmet, a reflective light up strip on my back or on the back of my top bag (camping section at Canadian Tire for $7) and reflective strips sew on my chaps. I also found reflective bands that can go on your wrists and legs that joggers use…. if I need to ride late in the day… they go on too!

 

  1. Chris T. Last summer I started wearing a Hi-Viz vest… The double takes, the stopping at stop signs and signals, and the people pulling out in front of me has decreased by exponents. Literally it’s gone from being the ‘norm’ to the exception. Of course, the standard; “ride like they’re out to kill you” still applies. Cover the brakes, avoid the blind spots, safe intersection rules, shoulder checks… All are still required.

 

  1. Lorraine S. http://mario10.mariomarathon.com/helmet.html. Building Mario’s Propeller Helmet

 

  1. Don E. I always have Spotlights on in the daytime, and high beams on at night (turning them off at the last second only). I weave in my lane slightly when approaching an intersection. I always used hand signals and when approaching a stop, I am on and off the brakes to show my brake lights to show that the need to stop. If all else fails, I give ’em the finger.

 

  1. Earl K. I installed a air powered truck horn just as a last ditch attention getter, especially when you get some half asleep moron on a cell phone who decides to change lanes into where you are riding. Sure wakes them up, soils jeans too.

 

  1. Noel H. I don’t do anything. I have found over the years that no matter what you do people don’t care whether they see you or not. You just aren’t big enough to be intimidating. Instead I just pay attention. You can train yourself to “see without looking”. I’ve heard it referred to as situational awareness. You have to see everything but you only have to pay attention to the stuff that might get you. It’s hard to explain.

 

  1. Max M. Ride naked

 

  1. Scooter Sue ride a pink spyder with pink pigtails on helmet…

 

  1. Tony M. Have all of my lights on and wear bright clothing

 

  1. Tim M. Give extra room and try not to be around them too long

 

  1. Suhaymath N. As noted in my response to the last question, I also used hand signals as well as my turn signals. One particular technique I used while being followed was tapping the brake lever lightly enough to blink the brake light a couple of quick times before actually applying the brakes. I have to say, I never came close to being rear-ended. I also used reflective tape on my helmets because I found it to be very noticeable.

 

  1. Ron M. Stay in their view, try not to be in their blind spots. Trust that the Screaming Eagles keep them wary.

 

  1. Wally H. high beams or driving lights all the time , loud air horn , screaming eagle pipes and awareness of cagers poor driving habits !

 

  1. Les M. I run with high beams on in daylight hours and avoid blind spots. Being out in front helps too.

 

  1. Greg M. plan my moves as if they don’t

 

  1. Allan D. Loud pipes

 

  1. Lawrence F. My plan is to have a smoking hot babe on the bike, doesn’t always work out…

 

  1. Donna R. Aside from a hi vis vest…I use hand signals for lane changing. It really does help.

 

  1. Tanya M. Driving lights, extra signal lights at the cager’s view, OMG bright led brake lights on my bags plus my regular brake light. Any time I start slowing into a turn, I turn on my signal light & flash my brake lights to get the cager’s attention. When entering into traffic on a highway, I use my signal light & hand signals. I also purposely keep back to view a trucker’s rear view mirrors because if you can’t see them, they can’t see you. When a semi passes me on the highway, I flash my high/low beams to indicate it’s safe to turn into my lane-they appreciate the help. Oh, I also have a wireless brake light on my helmet that doubles as an emergency or low visibility light that flashes continually when driving in inclement weather. Wearing high visibility clothing helps too. I have added extra reflective tape to my saddlebags as well. If I ever get rear ended it’s because Mr. Magoo was driving!!!

 

  1. Brian L. Day glo green jacket, low beam then switch to high and leave on if questionable. One thing I have to say is I bought a bike with projector headlights, and not in my 32 years on the street had i had that many left turners in front of me. i changed the headlight to the european model that had regular headlights and solved the problem. Have a dominant stance and above all make eye contact.

 

  1. Jeff D. Bright Helmet, Headlight on High beam during the day, reflective take on trunk

 

  1. Gary S. Running lights in my signals; flashing brake lights incl the rear signals; blue LEDs that light the engine chrome and under the bike at night and driving lights at the front as well as a very loud electric air horn if I need it!

 

  1. Dave G. Stay out of blind spots pass when there is a erratic driver ahead of me not able to keep between the lines and I have loud exhaust better heard than seen too late..

 

  1. Bob W. I drive my bike like I drive my car and share the road with everyone. Speed kills!

 

  1. Bruce P. If a driver does not want to see you, he won’t I find singing helps. (You have never heard me sing have you ?)

 

  1. Glenn S. Bright reflective jacket, Night light helmet that has three light features (steady, slow flash and rapid flash) for night or inclement driving conditions, additional driving lights to front, always tap breaks when coming to a stop. hand signals to indicate lane changes, always checking behind first, on multi lane highway, always ensuring not in blind spots.

 

  1. Kees S. Be predictable. No extreme acceleration, no zipping around a car unless I have to. By being where they expect me, I lower the odds of them saying “where’d dat guy come from?”

 

  1. Peter P. Hi visibility reflective and reflective clothing. Say “No” to loud pipes.

 

  1. Paul C. I added a sidecar the result was more smile per mile and I am noticed if the number of waves and thumbs up is any indication.

 

  1. Garth W. Lights on, stay out of blind spots and When riding in low vis conditions wear a bright orange construction vest over my gear.

 

  1. Bruce A. headlight is in side mirror, never in blind spot, loud pipes they are dead if they can’t hear me!

 

  1. Don S. Intersections always very cautious gear down and always ready to stop on a dime if need be you just never know. Well sometimes my horn go’s off just depends where they are looking

 

  1. Tom M. Lights, lights, lights!

 

What do you do to increase your conspicuity?

About

Author, writer, and student Liz Jansen combines her artistic mediums to create stories that inspire readers to embark on their own journey of self-discovery.