Visual scanning

Visual scanning means continuously moving your eyes across the scene: far ahead to plan, closer to check the surface, to the sides for junctions and driveways, and to the mirrors for traffic behind. A rider who only looks a few metres ahead reacts late; a rider who scans has time to choose speed, position and line.

On the road, look for clues of danger: a car's front wheels turning, gaps between parked cars, wet patches, gravel at junctions. Off-road, look past the obstacle in front of you to the next section of trail, so your line is planned before you reach it.

Keep your eyes moving rather than fixed on one point, which also helps avoid target fixation. Tiredness narrows your field of view, so take regular breaks on long rides.