dr jamesbicycle

Talking about bike helmets is 'not even wrong'
=> I never discuss cycling helmets without moving the discussion into safety <=

About things that make helmets irrelevant:
-road design to scare drivers into paying better attention
-separated active travel lanes & paths
-car speed limits & physical re-design to make drivers feel uncomfortable with higher speeds

I often wear a helmet when forced to mix with traffic. Don't want to mix with traffic
#helmets #cycling #walking #driving #activeTravel

Jan 24, 2023 at 10:36pmWeb
Show threadChristopher SmithJan 24, 2023

@jamesbicycle
Denmark, Netherlands and other countries have proven that with the right infrastructure cycling can be very low risk. Many point to the cycling accident rates in those countries as proof that cycling in general is very low risk regardless of the infrastructure.

It would be great if the USA, Canada and other countries had the same cycling infrastructure as those in Europe.

Until that time lights, bright colors and helmets will help reduce the rate of accidents and injury.

Show threadJeroen van BergenJan 25, 2023
@helmeteer_chris @jamesbicycle Indeed, being clearly visible and wearing a helmet are the best mitigations besides riding carefully. That being said: real safety for cyclists is provided by the infrastructure and the behaviour of car drivers.
Show threadChristopher SmithJan 25, 2023
@jeroenvanbergen @jamesbicycle
agree. until both infrastructure and driver training/education is significantly changed/improved everyone on the roads (cyclists, pedestrians, other drivers and their passengers) will continue to be at risk.
Show threadJasmine LiskaJan 26, 2023
@helmeteer_chris @jamesbicycle Given that I've seen drivers run into street lamps and illuminated bridges, I'm doubtful that lights, bright colours and helmets reduce the rates of "accidents." The only source I can find is Ian Walker's study (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001457506001540), which showed closer passes with "safety" gear than without. Have you found different research?
Show threadChristopher SmithJan 26, 2023

@jliska @jamesbicycle
Helmets certainly do not reduce the rate of accidents. Injuries for certain. I should have written that post a bit better.

I've seen drivers do all the same things that you mention. I have also seen drivers start to pull into an intersection, see my flashing daytime headlight and stop.

We are on the same page regarding the dangers that drivers pose.

Show threadJasmine LiskaJan 26, 2023
@jamesbicycle A big problem is that I don't think most people realize that bike helmets are not designed to protect users against the force of a car slamming into the user (and even less so when the "car" in question is an SUV/truck). So, without proper (separated!) infrastructure, slower vehicular speeds, and vehicle redesign, cyclists have no actual protection, but helmets allow drivers and cities to pretend that we do as long as we have that piece of foam strapped to our heads.