SCIENCE OF BEING SEEN (SOBS) 

SOBS - WHAT IS IT? A magician knows that the 'world' we see has been built entirely inside our brains and that it can be used to fool the audience. And the audience knows that they are about to be fooled, yet still can't spot the tricks. Riding a motorcycle or a scooter, we're the magician and the road users around us are our audience. Our magic power is invisibility, but there are a couple of extra deceptions involved. All too often the motorcyclist doesn't realise he / she is about to fool the audience. And the motorcyclist's audience of drivers doesn't know the biker is a magician either.

Based on decades of scientific research into these crashes and originally created for the fire services BIKER DOWN courses, this webcast of the FULL SOBS PRESENTATION reveals the secrets of our very own motorcycling invisibility show. This is YOUR CHANCE to see the ORIGINAL TALK updated with the most recent research.

We'll investigate why drivers continue to fail to spot motorcycles, and why conspicuity aids have proven largely ineffective. We'll see how to use hi-vis clothing and day-riding lights more effectively, how to improve our night time conspicuity, and conclude by looking at pro-active riding strategies that reduce the risks of being caught out by someone else's error.

CAN'T MAKE IT LIVE?
The stream will be available for 72 hours after the presentation for you to catch up in your own time.

HELP FUND SOBS. SOBS receives no funding and remains entirely self-funded. All income from sales is ploughed back into website hosting, further research and writing. 

TICKETS ARE JUST £5. Attendance is limited to 30 people per event.
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IS CORRECT AS YOUR ACCESS CODE
WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU APPROXIMATELY 24 HOURS BEFORE THE EVENT.

Schedule

Time	Item
7:50 pm	Virtual doors open
8:00 pm	Presentation starts
8:45 pm	Question time (approximately)
9:00 pm	Presentation ends (approximately)

SOBS HISTORY - the 'Science Of Being Seen' (SOBS) presentation was originally  written over the winter of 2011/12 as a proactive accident prevention module for the pilot 'Biker Down' courses developed by Kent Fire and Rescue Service. 'Biker Down' has since been picked up by most fire services in the UK as well as the UK military, and a version of SOBS was used by many Biker Down teams until 2020 - I personally delivered SOBS for KFRS at Rochester until the COVID crisis in March 2020. SOBS featured on the Devitt's webpages in 2021:
The science of being seen on a motorbike | Devitt (devittinsurance.com)

...Bruce E - ​All good thanks Kevin, read twice, seen twice, always learn each time!

AWARD WINNING - our 'Biker Down' team in Kent was awarded a Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety Award at the end of 2012 and a insurance industry award in 2013.  

...Paul C ​- Thank you Kevin. The books support the explanations you've given. Very enjoyable.

GOING INTERNATIONAL - in 2018 and 2019 I took SOBS to New Zealand, as one of a team of international speakers on the nationwide Shiny Side Up rider safety initiative. We travelled around the country to visit over a dozen venues on each occasion. I reprised the role as a virtual speaker in 2021. 

In 2020, SOBS was broadcast to viewers worldwide as one of the presentations featured on the US-based REVVtalks series of better biking webinars from riding experts around the world. SOBS was also a featured presentation in the spring 2021 RoadSafetyGB 'Powered Two Wheeler' safety week. 

And of course, since 2012 I have been delivering SOBS to clubs and rider groups around the UK, both in person and most recently via Zoom.

...Paul In Shanghai - ​Excellent Kevin. As is often said, one never stops learning!

SCIENCE-BASED - SOBS was created to solve a practical riding problem - the SMIDSY collision - but is based firmly on scientific research. SOBS is regularly updated as new studies emerge - the talk has been only recently been updated to reflect new studies on lighting arrangements and the 'looked, saw but forgot' theory that appeared in the literature as recently as 2018. Find all the latest news at the free-to-access website at www.scienceofbeingseen.org - each topic is supported by references to available research, a body of data extending back to the 1970s. 

...Clive - ​That was useful. Thanks Kevin.

AIDE-MEMOIRE - there's a short paperback book to act as a reminder to the presentation - the cost is £9.99 . SOBS is also available as an ebook download.

...Brian M ​Thanks, Kevin found it very interesting, I have the book as well

PRESENTER - Kevin Williams MSc - inveterate biker, serial writer, scientific thinker... rider coach, safety advocate, speaker, creator of 'Science Of Being Seen' (SOBS) - is an independent BTEC-qualified rider coach. With the benefit of a research-based Masters degree, Kevin's work to improve riding standards has always had a strong science background. Kevin has worked with thousands of riders since 1997, acted as a consultant to the TRL on rider training investigations, and served with several UK-based road safety projects, including Bucks County Council's 'Be a Better Biker' scheme, Somerset Road Safety Partnership's innovative multi-format 'Rider Skills' days at Castle Coombe circuit, and the KFRS 'Biker Down' sessions and their Brands Hatch-based 'Ride Skills' days.

...Julian S Really enjoyed the presentation, thanks

SOBS receives no funding and remains entirely self-funded. All income from sales is ploughed back into website hosting, further research and writing. Visit the site: www.scienceofbeingseen.org

TICKETS ARE JUST £5. Attendance is limited to 30 people per event.
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IS CORRECT AS YOUR ACCESS CODE
WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU APPROXIMATELY 24 HOURS BEFORE THE EVENT.