Comments on: Commuting 101: Avoid Target Fixation

By: looieloi

looieloi — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:14:12 +0000

WARNING — be careful when following garbage men. Sometimes they let the cans roll out into the street — right in your path.

By: Mr_Andersen

Mr_Andersen — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:04:47 +0000

The question is: What is your target? The fixation is fine as long as the the target is your path. Filter what are hazards, and fix your eyes on the path. Ah, and when i’ve mastered this in every aspect of my life, I will let you know.

By: Sizzlechest McGillicutty

Sizzlechest McGillicutty — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:27:32 +0000

This is 100% a well-documented phenomenon. I find it to be particularly true when working through a jungle of sideview mirrors. I also find that when I look down and try to micro-manage (for lack of a better word) through smaller objects in the road, I tend to hit them more. When I just look beyond them and power to where I want to go, I’m much better off. How bizarre!

I’ve also found that people who started riding their bikes earlier in life and spent more time on them during their youth (not me) are just generally better bike handlers….so keep your kids in the saddle!

By: ruggero

ruggero — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:40:42 +0000

Greetings from Italy and thanks for this nice site”
I think that to avoid target fixation is s really good suggestion; what I would add is that
I agree with who recommend to avoid target fixation but I don’t think that is always useful with running cars, especially when you’ve got to face a car coming on your right/ left, that doesn’t seem intentioned to stop. In this cases I observed that it could be useful a kind of “eyes fixation”, meaning to watch deeply in to eyes of mentioned driver, trying to communicate your intention and to understand his/ her intention to.
This technique is really powerful and I know that is common in sports like karate or judo.

By: ohio biker

ohio biker — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:49:18 +0000

It is possible through training, to greatly reduce or
even eliminate the effects of target fixation.
If while riding in a safe area, you deliberately
practice looking somewhere other than your intended
route, (not for extended periods of course) then you
may be better able to avoid target fixation.

Naturally the more you practice this, the more
effectively you may be able to avoid target fixation.

To the extent that you want to not be subject to
target fixation during some critical times, it may
be worthwhile to put in the effort to practice
avoiding target fixation effects.

Not every one is the same. Your mileage may vary.

By: Reedyjo

Reedyjo — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:45:38 +0000

d’Andre, that’s EXACTLY what I thought of when I read the article – Frasier consistently making a beeline for the mailbox while riding a bike. Hilarious episode!

By: Cafiend

Cafiend — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:59:37 +0000

Back-country skiers say, “watch the spaces, not the trees.”

By: Quinn

Quinn — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:53:22 +0000

I just recently had to replace a saddle, due to Target Fixation, No Bueno

I fixated on a parked car, when I Also had to avoid the friend I was riding with, And the Mustang that was cutting the S-bend short.

By: noj57

noj57 — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:46:24 +0000

Try reading a couple of books called “A Twist of the Wrist” Volumes I and II by Keith Code. Yes, I do realize that the info applies to motorcyclists more (they are just misguided individuals who don’t realize you can have just as much fun when you provide the power instead of a motor! , however, there is good info about target fixation, how to take the proper lines through cornering, balancing your weight, etc. All of this info is the same regardless if you have a motor or not.

By: Warren T

Warren T — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:06:56 +0000

Weird, it was there when I was writing this morning… The book is ‘Spy’ by Ted Bell. A little mind candy.