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Originally Posted by MyLife_MyCar Thank you for sharing this phenomenon. I have one question:
Does it apply to the bicycle rider also? Isn't he too fixated on the target (motorcycle) and driving towards motorcycle's path that he attempted to avoid the collision. Just tryin to understand this concept more.
The biker just started speeding up when he realized the bicycle trying to cross the road and hits the brake. However, doesn't slow down enough and ends up hitting the bicycle.. |
I agree with you. I am not sure if the bicycle rider was aware of the fast moving motorcycle or if he saw the biker & thought that the motorcycle is far enough for him to cross the road or he generally didn't bother or care much because probably he does ride that way everyday and has gotten away with it. I have seen many local bicyclist/ motorcycle/scooter riders who don't look up while crossing the highway at their village limits. Anyways I think I am digressing.
Yes, Yes, bicycle riders can experience target fixation as much as a motorcycle rider.
Target fixation is when a rider becomes so focused on a distraction that they increase their risk of collision with it. For example, if a rider is looking at an obstacle, the bike can collide with it even if the rider is trying to avoid it.
In the given mishap, the bicycle rider is not fixated on the target / obstacle because he is riding perpendicular to the motorcycle Rider's direction. If 2 riders are riding in opposite direction (to each) on a 2 lane road and if they fixated on each other then their risk of collision increases. (The riders have to be opposite to each other and not perpendicular).
The motorcycle rider was very fast. Whether he riding that fast is a debatable matter. But he was very fast.
Here is a point, As you speed up, say upward of triple digits speed, tunnel vision develops and the area that your eyes can scan reduces and you might actually miss seeing objects that are present ahead as the mind has to process lot of information in a very short period of time.
You could do this experiment. On a clear road under safe circumstances, you ride at 100 kmph ( A relatively moderate speed in the present day) for say 2 kms. Then you write down all that you remember seeing on the road. Next you ride again the same route at 50 Kmph speed and write down all that you remember. You will be surprised to see how many things you missed out when you were at 100 Kmph speed. For example at that speed, you could totally missed seeing the scooter parked or the sign board or the man standing under a tree etc all of which you will recollect with clarity when riding at 50 Kmph speed.
Even though for a normal person viewing a video might say " Can't he see that Bicycle crossing" ).the fast Rider's mind may not register the cyclist's presence till the last moment. Speed does things to the human mind. At high speed most of the time, you don't stand a chance if an unexpected obstacle shows up in the immediate horizon.
I agree both are at fault here as you mentioned.
Could this accident been averted? If the motorcycle rider had practiced panic breaking, practiced to avoid target fixation, he perhaps had a small window of opportunity there. But that would take hours and hours of practice which no one sees but could save your life when you need it the most.
You mentioned that the motorcycle rider started speeding up when he saw the bicyclist. Probably he thought he will pass before the slow moving cyclist could come to that point on the road. Or it was just a reflex action.
Many Motorcycle riders mind freeze when they see an unexpected obstacle/ hurdle on the road. Trust me when I say this. I have been there and done that. I have had a mind freeze when a sudden obstacle (a Cow jumped from the side fields onto the middle of the road right in front of me at about 10-15 MTR distance) just materialized in front of me on the road. You have the obstacle in front of you and brain can't decide - left or right? slam brake? Change to lower gear? All in a few milliseconds Then your life survival instincts will kick in and you end up doing some irrational thing like speed up and then BAM!
To avoid getting into such a situation, practice again and again the art of panic braking, avoiding target fixation etc. practice a hundred times till it becomes muscle memory and you don't do the irrational things when a mishap appear imminent.