Subscribe
Commuting 101: Avoid Target Fixation
September 18th, 2008 by Warren T 
Man, I hope I don’t run into that…
Recently, I’ve had a series of close encounters with critters, storm debris, buckles in the pavement, other cyclists and pedestrians on the multi-purpose path. Something in a book I was reading seemed applicable:
“…your hands are hardwired to your eyes. Look ahead; see where you want to be next. Don’t look where you don’t want to go. It’s called ‘target fixation.’ Your eyes stray to a target you don’t want to hit. Your hands will automatically take you there if you’re not careful.”
Let’s say you’re riding along a trail and notice a fist-sized rock. If you focus on that rock and keep your eyes on it, intending to make sure you miss it, you’ll be drawn towards the very obstacle you’re trying to avoid. I’ve noticed this with other cyclists as well; as another commuter approached me the other day they eyed me nervously and drifted from the edge of the path towards the middle. That matches up pretty well with Wikipedia’s entry on Target Fixation.
“Target fixation is a process by which the brain is focused so intently on an observed object that awareness of other obstacles or hazards can diminish. Also, in an avoidance scenario, the observer can become so fixated on the target that they will end up colliding with the object.
This is a common issue for motorcyclists and mountain bikers. A motorcycle or bicycle will tend to go where the rider is looking; if the rider is overly focused on an obstacle (puddle of oil, tree, branch, patch of sand, small child, etc), the cycle can collide with that object simply because of the rider’s focus on it, even though the rider is trying to avoid it.”
The good news is you can use this to your advantage. If you’re riding in a debris strewn bike lane, focus on the clear path you want to take, not the glass, rocks and assorted building materials that otherwise choke the lane. Want nice straight lines when you’re mowing your lawn? As a kid I learned the secret: find a spot in the distance that is in line with where you want to go and walk towards it without looking down.
So, be aware. It’s common sense, people: watch where you’re going.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I notice I do this more (fixate on what I want to avoid) when I’m tired. I almost nailed a crack in the road the other day on my way home. It’s one I’ve hit before and is surprisingly jarring–the kind of bump that makes it feel like you could snap your handlebars off. So, yeah. It’s less a matter of watching where you’re going as opposed to watching where you want to go. And getting enough sleep, I guess.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:24 am
This is interesting because haven’t we all run over that object that we are trying to avoid. What is the situation called when you do not want to go off the edge of the road into the gravel but no matter what, you can’t keep yourself from going? In the other sport that I like, golf, it is all about focusing on the target to hit the ball there….messes with my mind when I ride my bike to the golf course and then play
September 18th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I learned this from my driver’s ed instructor in High School and it rings true for many applications. This also explains why some drivers who focus too much on the road just in front of their car tend to weave in their lane.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I noticed this during my first thousand miles of (returning to) biking. Now I automatically look for where I want to go. As I am approaching pedestrians, first I scan for a clear path, then I say loud enough where I am going, such as “bicycle passing on your left” and focus on that clear path. I do the same in traffic, scan pavement, and predict where cars are going then signal or show that is where I’m going.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Ever seen the Frasier episode called “Fraternal Schwinns”?
September 18th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
So, you put up a quote from a book you were reading but you didn’t mention the title of the book? You’re a tease! Fess up, man — it sounds like it might be a good one.
September 18th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Weird, it was there when I was writing this morning… The book is ‘Spy’ by Ted Bell. A little mind candy.
September 18th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
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.
September 19th, 2008 at 8:53 am
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.
September 19th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Back-country skiers say, “watch the spaces, not the trees.”
September 21st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
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!
September 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
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.