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Commuting to work by bike

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rhb
rhb
Jun 2020
2:10pm, 18 Jun 2020
1,436 posts
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rhb
@rf_fozzy Boardman tweeted on this as recently as yesterday

twitter.com
Kieren
Kieren
Jun 2020
2:13pm, 18 Jun 2020
3,950 posts
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Kieren
Yeah - I think the point Boardman makes is that a helmet use is often linked with victim blaming and detracts from the need for safe infrastructure / driver awareness (phone driving etc). It's often the case that there is a perception that cyclist hit by a car was not wearing a helmet, therefore a collision is part of all their fault. Nothing then needs to be done to correct the driver behavior or investigate / correct a dangerous road layout.

One thing I noticed in my accident was how amazing it was that lots of people stopped to help but also that no one checked my stuff for ID. (I have ICE details on phone lockscreen, garmin watch, and had wallet and work ID in my bag / jersey pocket). Maybe they are worried about going through someones stuff
rf_fozzy
rf_fozzy
Jun 2020
2:20pm, 18 Jun 2020
10,321 posts
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rf_fozzy
That's not about not wearing a helmet rhb. More about infrastructure.

But his view as I said is rooted in that old school cycling ethos and has only recently changed.

In any case, even if there is *no* benefit from wearing them from a statistical point of view, what's the argument against??

Beyond "not wanting to look silly" or "it'll mess up my hair" there isn't one. And they are fucking silly.

The not wearing a helmet thing is a tired argument with no merit.
DeeGee
DeeGee
Jun 2020
2:25pm, 18 Jun 2020
19,398 posts
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DeeGee
This is why I don't wear a helmet in the Netherlands:

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.6663969,4.0911595,3a,75y,147.4h,71.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sC4Jvrqs-eDTLD5wvsgaU9w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Cycle priority takes up 2/3 the width of the road, cars are shoehorned into the middle part, which is effectively one long lateral speed bump, coaxing cars to stay in position and making it require thought on the part of the motorist to overtake.

And this street has two way traffic.

Countries that are engineered like this have high cycle use and no helmet use. Coutries that are engineered like ours, with trees in the middle of pavements that have been signposted as cycle paths have low cycle use, high accident rates and therefore a feeling that helmets are needed.

Wasn't there a study which showed that motorists are more likely to close pass cyclists with helmets?

Even so, I'm happy to wear one.
DeeGee
DeeGee
Jun 2020
2:28pm, 18 Jun 2020
19,399 posts
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DeeGee
forbes.com

"Motorists punish helmet wearing cyclists with close passes"

It subliminally removes the obligation on the part of the motorist to have any concern for the safety of another road user.
Bazoaxe
Bazoaxe
Jun 2020
2:30pm, 18 Jun 2020
16,735 posts
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Bazoaxe
I think that’s nonsense. Motorists punish cyclists because they are cyclists or because they just don’t register the risks.

I have seen my dad do sone awful things to cyclists over the years and also I need to warn my wife about the lack of space she leaves.
rf_fozzy
rf_fozzy
Jun 2020
2:33pm, 18 Jun 2020
10,322 posts
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rf_fozzy
I haven't seen any proper evidence of that DG.

Still not an excuse for not wearing a helmet.

And yes, good infrastructure is much more important than wearing a helmet, but that still doesn't mean you shouldn't wear a helmet.

Sorry, but I've actually seen what falling off and banging a head in a helmet on a method does.

I got a helmet with a dent in. And then rode home. Rather than a trip to the hospital.
rf_fozzy
rf_fozzy
Jun 2020
2:33pm, 18 Jun 2020
10,323 posts
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rf_fozzy
*kerb, not method (sorry autocorrect)
rf_fozzy
rf_fozzy
Jun 2020
2:34pm, 18 Jun 2020
10,324 posts
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rf_fozzy
Also saying don't wear a helmet as cars will get too close is the very definition of victim blaming.
DeeGee
DeeGee
Jun 2020
2:40pm, 18 Jun 2020
19,401 posts
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DeeGee
I still reckon poorly designed infrastructure is responsible for more accidents than unworn helmets. Obviously, I don't have any peer reviewed analysis to back this up, though.

And I'm speaking as a helmet wearer. We have to take responsibility for our own safety. But crap cycle-paths lull cyclists into a false sense of security.

About This Thread

Maintained by HappyG(rrr)
There is a nice thread about commuting to work by running, and there are loads of terrifying threads about bikes and cycling which are about carbon and grams of weight and lycra - not this one: how to dry your kit, how to carry/store your work clothes etc. and some bike specific stuff about best mudguards to minimize wet and dirt and maybe some stuff about cycle paths, safety, simple bike maintenance etc.

And if you declare yourself at the outset as:
A. Total bike head, train lots, do bike races/triathlons and the commute bit is just a way of getting extra miles in and is done at full bike training pace.
B. Bike for fitness (either with running as main sport or not) and like to do bike in lycra, at reasonable speed, certainly always shower necessary!

C. Bike is firstly a mode of transport, essential for the commute, sure a bit of fitness is good, but it's secondary. Safe, reliable and clean are the priorities.

:-) G
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