IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 25, 2014 – “I never saw him” is something heard all too often at the scene of a motorcycle crash. To help riders stand out in traffic and compensate for inattentive car drivers, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has posted a new tip sheet and public service announcement called “Pretend You Are Invisible.”
“Motorcyclists should pretend they are invisible to car drivers,” said Ken Glaser, MSF’s director of special projects. “If you assume others on the road can’t see you on a motorcycle, you will tend to ride in a hyper-aware mindset and notice much more detail of your surroundings. Pretending you cannot be seen by others will help you take the initiative to ride more responsibly and defensively.”
To see the new PSA, riders should visit the Safety Tips section of msf-usa.org to download Quick Tips.
“Quick Tips: Pretend You Are Invisible” suggests ways to be more detectable to car drivers, such as wearing a brightly colored helmet and easy-to-see riding gear that stands out, using the headlight, and taking an approved rider training course to learn how to maneuver the motorcycle in emergencies.
“We hope that safety-minded organizations and publications will pass Quick Tips on to their audiences and encourage motorcyclists to make themselves more visible on the road,” Glaser said. “We also encourage riders to make the wise choice to protect themselves by wearing all the gear, all the time.”
