Originally Posted by smasha

TRL -

* "Another development in the field has been an appreciation of the role of aspects of conspicuity other than visibility. For example, Brooks and Guppy (1996) found that car drivers who had relatives who rode a motorcycle were less likely than average to be involved in a collision with a motorcyclist; one suggestion for this effect is that for these drivers, motorcyclists are more ‘cognitively conspicuous’ (i.e. expected). Recent data from Crundall, Crundall, Clarke and Sharar (2012) are also relevant here; car drivers who also have experience as motorcyclists look in different places for motorcyclists at junctions when compared with other experienced car drivers and with novices. Again the suggested mechanism for this is that their experience as motorcyclists gives them an appreciation of where to look, and this ‘cognitive conspicuity’ aids detection." -- This is consistent with both the "safety in numbers effect" and that bicycling safety can be improved simply by making it "normal", accessible, convenient, and something people can do with little fuss (eg helmets and hi-viz). When motorists, their friends and their families ride cycles, they are more alert to the presence of cycles.