Why is it more challenging for a motorcyclist to judge distances at night?

It is indeed more challenging for a motorcyclist to judge distances at night primarily due to decreased light visibility. At night, the amount of ambient light is significantly reduced, which limits the rider's ability to see the road, other vehicles, and potential hazards. This decreased visibility affects depth perception and distance judgment because our eyes rely heavily on light to interpret spatial relationships. When the surroundings are dim, it can be difficult to accurately assess how far away an object or obstacle is, leading to an increased risk of errors in distance judgment while riding.

The other aspects, such as reflections from headlights, fatigue, and inconsistent road markings, can contribute to nighttime riding challenges but are secondary to the core issue of reduced visibility. Headlight reflections mainly create distractions rather than affecting distance judgment directly. Fatigue can impair overall alertness and reaction time, but it does not fundamentally alter the ability to judge distances in the way that decreased light does. Similarly, inconsistent road markings may pose challenges for navigation and might affect how well a rider can follow the road, but the critical factor at night is the reduced visibility that hinders distance perception.