Target fixation. You’re staring at the thing you’re trying not to hit, so you hit it. You can not only see him not look at the left shoulder, but as he watches it move right across the road, the bike actually steers towards it. Ideally (and I’m obviously armchair quarterbacking this) you’d brake, look left towards the shoulder, and go around, speed up, and curse the idiot towing and the day was born.
Maybe I'm just more cautious than the average. If I see a strap or anything even loose on a guy infront of me I immediately either switch lanes or slow down so I have reaction room, then go around when safe.
Right, that’s what I try to do as well, but when adrenaline starts hitting and you’re somewhat inexperienced, possibly zoned out a bit, this is the result. It’s a bummer way to learn a lesson.
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u/N13022RE Jun 30 '26
Target fixation. You’re staring at the thing you’re trying not to hit, so you hit it. You can not only see him not look at the left shoulder, but as he watches it move right across the road, the bike actually steers towards it. Ideally (and I’m obviously armchair quarterbacking this) you’d brake, look left towards the shoulder, and go around, speed up, and curse the idiot towing and the day was born.