Why Do Spinning Wheels Appear To Go Backwards?

bike wheel

Mystery Hour Question

Why is it that when you stare at a bicycle wheel spinning forwards at high speed, it begins to look like it’s going backwards?
Helen, Worcester Park

Answer

Name: James O’Brien

Qualification: Having a big brain

Answer: It’s to do with how quickly your eyes can process information. The wheel is turning faster than your brain can process each individual image, affecting the spaces between each image, making it appear as if it’s going backwards.