6 MIN READ
Increase your visibility on the motorcycle: Practical tips to stand out in traffic
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable in traffic due to their narrow silhouette and limited visibility. Increasing visibility can help prevent accidents and improve road safety. Here are some practical tips to enhance your visibility.
Making yourself visible as a motorcyclist is no easy task
When I started my research for this blog, I thought to myself: this will be easy. I’ll just showcase some fluorescent vests, say that you should choose motorcycle clothing with reflective material and done! However, I quickly noticed that it went beyond that. Just like Alice, I went down the rabbit hole and lost myself in several studies that have been conducted over the years.
These studies sometimes draw conclusions, but due to a lack of hard numbers, they could not definitively comment on the positive influence of wearing high-visibility motorcycle clothing.
Studies on visibility in traffic and accidents involving motorcyclists:
- Visual perception and traffic safety (Dutch article)
- Motorcycle accident cause factors and identification of countermeasures
- Invisibility Training for Motorcyclists
I combined this information and sought new perspectives to view this, literally and figuratively.
Movement and contrast attract the eye
By understanding how a motorist looks, we learn that our eyes focus on a part of our full view and automatically supplement the rest according to what our brains are accustomed to seeing. Most accidents occur within a relatively small radius (8-16 km) around our home. One of the main reasons is that drivers are often less alert and feel comfortable on roads they know well. This can make them prone to driving less attentively, increasing the risk of an accident.
It is of great importance to provide other road users with a new impulse and alert them to our presence by using movement and contrasting colors within the environment. Consider carefully the environment in which you will be riding when assembling your outfit.
General tips to be seen
Brightly Colored Helmets
A helmet in white or bright color with extra reflective helmet stickers can help make you visible. When your body and your motorcycle are blocked by other vehicles, there is a chance that your head will stick out above other vehicles (depends on your type of motorcycle). Your helmet is the first indication that there is a motorcyclist present in traffic.
A white helmet stands out best in a wooded area, while a fluorescent yellow/orange helmet stands out best in an urban environment. For those who find a fluorescent helmet too conspicuous, a white helmet is the best compromise.
Use fluorescent or reflective motorcycle clothing
Most motorcycle clothing is standard equipped with reflective material, although in a limited way. Add a hi-vis vest to your gear to increase your visibility.
Consider the weather conditions
On a rainy grey day, it is advisable to use fluorescent elements on your motorcycle clothing. This contrast with the grey environment helps to increase your visibility. Do you need a rain suit? Pick a fluorescent rain suit, knowing that you will only wear this when it rains.
At night, it is advisable to rely on reflective elements and motorcycle clothing. The reflection of the light will ensure that you stand out and do not disappear into the night.
TIP: The Modeka Double Eye serves as both a fluorescent and reflective vest. Perfect to always stand out.
Avoid blind spots
Try to stay out of the blind spots of other vehicles at all times. This not only makes you more visible, but also gives you more room to react in case of emergency. This is not limited to the blind spot of trucks and cars; when you approach an intersection or roundabout, it is important to check whether you are not disappearing behind the car driver’s visor. In this case, try to add movement to your trajectory and make eye contact.
Honk in danger
A short honk of the horn can attract the attention of distracted drivers or vehicles that might be about to cross your path.
Check your lights before you start riding
A faulty light can quickly make you seem invisible when you ride at night. A quick check before you leave can make a difference in poor light conditions.
Visible from all sides
After reading the following section in the “Motorcycle accident cause factors and identification of countermeasures volume 1” where they talk about motorcycles with a white fairing being less involved in accidents, I decided to analyze how we can be better seen from the front, side view, and the rear.
Front: Visible to oncoming traffic
Follow these tips to ensure that you are seen by oncoming traffic and stand out in the rearview mirrors of motorists.
Ride with your lights on
Make sure your headlight is always on, even during the day. This helps to stand out in traffic.
Install additional lights on your motorcycle
Install a set of fog lights or spotlights on your motorcycle to create a wider lighting pattern. This helps other road users to see you better and better estimate your distance.
Add reflective stickers
Stick reflective stickers on all sides of your helmet and on your mirrors.
Motorcycles with a fairing
These engines stand out more in the front view, especially if you choose striking colors. The fairing adds extra width to your motorcycle making you more noticeable faster.
Motorcycles without fairing
Those who ride a naked-bike will attract less attention due to the narrow profile of the motorcycle. In this case, you would benefit from a motorcycle jacket with fluorescent details or a fluorescent vest.
Attention: A tinted visor makes you less visible and can negate the wearing of a fluorescent vest.
Side view: Visibility from every angle
It’s important that you’re also clearly visible from the side. This ensures that you’re more noticeable when approached from the sides.
Reflective elements
Apply reflective stickers, tape or self-adhesive reflectors to the sides of the motorcycle and motorcycle helmet. You can also use reflective rim strips so that your wheels light up when you cross a car or want to cross or drive up a street.
Wear noticeable motorcycle clothing
Wear motorcycle clothing with reflective elements or fluorescent colors. A motorcycle jacket, motorcycle pants, and helmet in a bright color will significantly contribute to your visibility. A white outfit gets dirty quickly, but it is the most noticeable. If you wear a motorcycle jeans, you can fold the edges; this usually has a reflective strip incorporated.
Rear: Visibility for following drivers
Unless your taillight is defective, a following driver will typically see you under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, the increasing number of drivers distracted by their smartphones is concerning. The faster followers spot us, the more alert they are to our presence and the quicker they will brake when needed.
Reflective vests and jackets
A reflective vest or a motorcycle jacket with reflective panels is essential. Those who don’t want a conspicuous jacket but do desire the functionality, can go with the Macna Night-Eye series. These motorcycle jackets are specially designed to reflect light, making you more noticeable. If there is no direct reflected light, the jacket will appear to be black.
Attention: If you are wearing a backpack, it will nullify a fluorescent or reflective jacket. In this case, choose a colored backpack with reflective strips or wear a fluorescent/reflective cover over your backpack.
Attract attention with your brake lights
If you’re stationary at the traffic lights, keep your foot on your rear brake so your brake lights remain lit. Some motorcycles have flashing brake lights that give short flashes when braking. This attracts the attention of following traffic and can help prevent collisions.
Shark developed the Skwal i3 motorcycle helmet with built-in lighting at the front and flashing brake lights at the rear. This helmet lights up when a braking action is detected. This feature is a real must-have.
To see and be seen
Whether we hit the road as a motorcyclist or choose to get into the car, it’s important to stay focused to ensure safe driving. Every year, there are awareness campaigns to alert people to the presence of motorcyclists and to put away the smartphone while driving. These campaigns exist because it’s not clear to everyone how important it is to exhibit correct driving behavior.
Anticipate possible dangers, opt for visibility and keep your attention on the road. At the end of the day, we all want to come home safely.
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Nathan is our webshop employee who is ready with advice and assistance to help customers. When he is not answering customer questions, he writes helpful texts and blogs for the RAD site.