The theory of big

[Andy in Germany]

I'm sceptical, our local trams are 3.7m high, 2.6m wide, and 38m long, so pretty darn big. They are, as you can see, bright yellow and have headlights, indicators and rear lights, and being rail vehicles they tend to follow the same route every time they pass. All crossings are protected with lights

And yet drivers manage to crash into these in Stuttgart with annoying regularity.

If drivers can't avoid something like this, I don't think wearing neon orange is going to help much, and I'll stick to the shared use paths around here as they are direct and keep my stress levels down.

 

[classic33]

View attachment 497927

I'm sceptical, our local trams are 3.7m high, 2.6m wide, and 38m long, so pretty darn big. They are, as you can see, bright yellow and have headlights, indicators and rear lights, and being rail vehicles they tend to follow the same route every time they pass. All crossings are protected with lights

And yet drivers manage to crash into these in Stuttgart with annoying regularity.

If drivers can't avoid something like this, I don't think wearing neon orange is going to help much, and I'll stick to the shared use paths around here as they are direct and keep my stress levels down.

Seem to manage similar in Manchester, where the trams are also yellow.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

View attachment 497927

I'm sceptical, our local trams are 3.7m high, 2.6m wide, and 38m long, so pretty darn big. They are, as you can see, bright yellow and have headlights, indicators and rear lights, and being rail vehicles they tend to follow the same route every time they pass. All crossings are protected with lights

And yet drivers manage to crash into these in Stuttgart with annoying regularity.

If drivers can't avoid something like this, I don't think wearing neon orange is going to help much, and I'll stick to the shared use paths around here as they are direct and keep my stress levels down.

There's seeing something and paying attention to something. You can see something but not pay attention to it. Most accidents are down yo the latter. Visibility of even the smallest object is rarely the issue.

 

[Andy in Germany]

There's seeing something and paying attention to something. You can see something but not pay attention to it. Most accidents are down yo the latter. Visibility of even the smallest object is rarely the issue.

That's the problem. I can be as "big" as I want but if a driver isn't paying attention then it won't help much.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

That's the problem. I can be as "big" as I want but if a driver isn't paying attention then it won't help much.

Ah but his theory of big is about being noticed not about your size necessarily. It's about a driver's perception and reaction to you during the full period they could potentially cause you harm.

 

[boydj]

Ah but his theory of big is about being noticed not about your size necessarily. It's about a driver's perception and reaction to you during the full period they could potentially cause you harm.

This is the essence of the article. It is to force drivers to register your presence and even cause a bit of uncertainty in their minds about your actions so that they give you plenty room.

I came across this article many years ago when I first started commuting by bike and it did influence the way I cycled in traffic, to my benefit, I believe.

 

[mjr]

Title is missing "ots" off the end of the last word.

 

[rikki]

View attachment 497927

I'm sceptical, our local trams are 3.7m high, 2.6m wide, and 38m long, so pretty darn big. They are, as you can see, bright yellow and have headlights, indicators and rear lights, and being rail vehicles they tend to follow the same route every time they pass. All crossings are protected with lights

And yet drivers manage to crash into these in Stuttgart with annoying regularity.

If drivers can't avoid something like this, I don't think wearing neon orange is going to help much, and I'll stick to the shared use paths around here as they are direct and keep my stress levels down.

And here, it's always reported as "a train/tram crashed into a car/truck". The things on fixed rails following strict safety rules are the ones reported as being the problem