Cycling PSYOPS: How psychology can keep you safe on the road

Psychological Operations (PSYOP) are the darkish artwork of crafting and disseminating info to affect the feelings, goal reasoning, and behavior of people, teams and even governments. The excellent news is that what works for the CIA and Kremlin can have classes for you in your cycle commute!

The Dutch bicycle producer Vanmoof has diminished supply injury to its bikes by as much as 80 per cent by printing the picture of a flat-screen TV on its containers. Greater than merely lateral considering, it hints on the psychology that’s at play on our roads.

Drivers go nearer when overtaking cyclists sporting helmets than when overtaking bare-headed cyclists, rising the chance of a collision, discovered Dr Ian Walker, a visitors psychologist from the College of Tub. He used a bicycle fitted with a pc and an ultrasonic distance sensor to file knowledge from over 2,500 overtaking motorists in Salisbury and Bristol.

He discovered that drivers have been as a lot as twice as prone to get significantly near the bicycle when he was sporting the helmet. Throughout the board, drivers handed a median of 8.5 cm nearer with the helmet than with out.

Dr Walker suggests the explanation drivers give much less room to cyclists sporting helmets is right down to how cyclists are perceived as a bunch: “We all know from analysis that many drivers see cyclists as a separate subculture, to which they don’t belong. Consequently, they maintain stereotyped concepts about cyclists, typically judging all riders by the yardstick of the Lycra-clad street-warrior. This may occasionally lead drivers to consider cyclists with helmets are extra critical, skilled and predictable than these with out. The concept that helmeted cyclists are extra skilled and fewer prone to do one thing surprising would clarify why drivers go away much less area when passing.”

Walker additionally discovered that motorists allowed more room when overtaking when he wore an extended wig which prompt he was a lady. A variation on the theme was highlighted final week on Twitter.

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ETA: An moral firm like no different

We’ve been campaigning for sustainable transport for over 30 years with the assistance of individuals such as you. Supporting this work is simple – you merely take out cycle insurance, mobility scooter insurance or breakdown cover and we deal with the remainder. We offer a wonderful stage of canopy whereas placing concern for the surroundings on the coronary heart of all we do.