There is a widespread belief that motorcycles are more difficult to detect in traffic than are cars and trucks, which has led to much research designed to enhance motorcycle conspicuity. This paper examines the basic concept and finds that it lacks empirical support. Further, a number of other possible explanations could account for the differences one finds when comparing car-motorcycle and car-car collisions. Additional research is required to determine whether conspicuity is a special problem for motorcycles and the extent to which such a problem might contribute to crash involvement.
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