Is cycle syncing science or social media hype?
Show notes
PsychTalks Season 5, Episode 4 | Published 9 September 2026
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Why do so many drivers say "sorry mate, I didn't see you"?
If you’ve ever looked directly at a motorcyclist while driving – yet completely failed to see them – you’re not alone. The phenomenon is so common, riders refer to it as a “smidsy” (or, “sorry mate, I didn’t see you”.)
Professor Kristen Pammer and Dr Angus McKerral discuss the cognitive demands of driving; explaining how inattentional blindness can render a motorcyclist invisible and exploring the promises and pitfalls of self-driving cars.
About Professor Kristen Pammer
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About Dr Angus McKerral
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Transcript
Intro: This podcast was made on the lands of the Wurundjeri people, the Woi Wurrung and the Bunurong. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and to emerging leaders. From the University of Melbourne's School of Psychological Sciences, this is PsychTalks.