Riding fixed gear is like driving without brake lights

Thanks, YellowPeril. I actually think you're more likely to be rear ended by a following cyclist than a car, because they are more usually directly behind you.

As wiganwill points out, the effect I am talking about was documented on this forum years ago - pedestrians freeze on a zebra crossing when they see you spinning towards them, because they think you're not going to stop. I think most of us have experienced this.

So obviously the effect exists. But why should it be confined to zebra crossings? What if the same pedestrian is now on his hybrid, nodding along 2ft behind you? Has he suddenly became immune to this perceptual misconception?

Most of this thread is an exercise in point missing. I am** not **saying

• this is the only reason for rear-end collisions
  
• that stopping pedalling is the only way to signal that you are slowing down
  
• that the effect cannot be replicated on a freewheeler
  
• that staring at cyclists' feet is an important road-safety technique
  
• that there are no other ways of noticing deceleration, or even that pedal-watching is a good way
  
  

I** am** saying, as YellowPeril succinctly put it:

• that if you are riding fixed gear, you cease to give out a visual cue that you're decelerating
  
  

If you were not already aware of this fact, you are now.

You're welcome.