Looking allows us to make quick decisions about where and when it is safe to move amidst the flow of traffic. However, we also make ‘looks’ that are for more that just seeing. Our looks and eye contact have a humanising effect on our interactions in traffic. If you don’t believe me, try it for yourself! Just this morning as I was riding to work and I needed to move into the centre of the lane to negotiate a narrow pinch point ahead of me. I could hear that a car was close behind so I turned my head back and looked straight at the driver. As soon as we made eye contact, he slowed down to allow me to merge into the centre of the lane. It’s just like having magic powers.

So why do our eyes make such a difference? Well, we rarely hear of pedestrian rage. If we inadvertently bump into each other in the office, we generally apologise to defuse the situation as was touched on in the recent VicRoads Road User or Abuser campaign. Alternatively, in situations where we are less recognisable (e.g. through tinted windows, wearing dark sunglasses, or on anonymous online forums), we can sometimes do and say things that we wouldn’t do if we were to meet the same people face-to-face. Psychologists call this ‘the transformative power of anonymity’. However, by making meaningful looks and seeking eye contact, we can reduce this anonymity and be more skilled in communicating with traffic. Our eyes may not have magic powers like the X-Men, but they are powerful tools for safe and effective cycling.