Frasier teaches how to ride a bike 

"Bob LeDrew" (bobledrew1) 01/13/2015 at 14:44 • Filed to: bikelopnik, crashorama, target fixation, riding tips

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A while ago, this video from Mulholland Drive caught a LOT of cyclists' attention. Not every collision is caught with such good framing (kudos to Rnickeymouse).

Most viewers attributed that collision to a phenomenon called "target fixation." !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! when pilots would fly into the ground when on bombing or strafing runs, it's the way we all (like this motorcyclist) sometimes lock in on something and can't avoid going right into it.

Motorcyclists are particularly focused (almost fixated, woka woka) on this, but I've experienced it on my bicycle too. Here's a great video illustrating the phenomenon and how to avoid it.

It's worth understanding this, whether you're on two wheels or four and in spandex, a set of leathers, or in Nomex. And if the video above wasn't informative enough, here to reinforce the demonstration in an indubitable manner is Dr. Frasier Crane, first on a sycamore tree, then on an innocent mailbox. (PS: bonus points for Niles's sweet ride, which he may have stolen from Pee Wee Herman.)

bob and john > Bob LeDrew 01/13/2015 at 15:01

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everytime i see the top vid I wince.

both because i'm a cyclist, and I have that same (or close enough) model of motorcycle)

Bob LeDrew > bob and john 01/13/2015 at 15:13

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Must be hard to know who to rant about in your situation. Flip a coin? Heads you get: "AND THAT'S WHY CYCLISTS SHOULDN'T BE ON ROADS THAT DRIVERS PAY FOR, FUCKIN' SPANDEX FREAK!" and tails you get: "TYPICAL 'ACCIDENT' CAUSED BY IRRESPONSIBLE MOTORIST DESTROYING THE PLANET WITH THEIR CARBON SPEWING DEATH WAGON!"

bob and john > Bob LeDrew 01/13/2015 at 15:20

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hehe. I blame the motorcyclist due to target fixation. cyclists were one the correct side of the road, not hogging the lane. it sucks that it happened, but meh.

HammerheadFistpunch > Bob LeDrew 01/13/2015 at 15:45

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This is a big deal with mountain biking, especially in tight trees. The rule for mountain biking is, if you want to hit something, look at it.

Bob LeDrew > HammerheadFistpunch 01/13/2015 at 16:14

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And sometimes on a fairly broad gravel pathway...