September 15, 2006
"Bicycle helmets may backfire by encouraging cars to drive closer to the cyclist. Theory: Wearing a helmet makes you look like you know what you're doing, so drivers assume you can operate in tighter space. Evidence: A traffic psychologist rode a sensor-equipped bike around Britain, and when he wore a helmet, cars passed more than three inches closer, on average, than when he didn't. He was also hit by two vehicles while wearing the helmet. Bonus finding: When he dressed as a woman, drivers gave him more than five inches of extra space. Psychologist's interpretation: Helmets protect you in a low-speed tumble but may backfire in serious car traffic. Accident-prevention group's rebuttal: Wear your helmet, and we'll educate drivers to give you more space."
It all goes back to educating motorists. I wear my helmet and will continue to do so, but I recognize that luck and not getting hit by a driver in the first place matter way, way more. I have lived in places where no one wore helmets and the streets (and sidewalks) were filled with cyclists. The difference was that the motorists were more alert and less ragey than here. The roads had lower speed limits and the drivers paid attention to pedestrians and to cyrclists. THAT makes the biggest difference, I think.
Well that's nothing new. Who likes driving next to a transvestite on a bicycle?
I do. But I prefer koala bears.
Wasn't that study also the one that showed white van drivers in Britain are more aggressive than other motorists? If so, doesn't that prove the study was tainted with an attempt to find aggressive drivers?
ka-ching!
It's not luck reid, it's you actively avoiding other cars and never assuming that you really have the right of way.
I like slate but I've seen a few crap stories put out by them.
Pablo, what do you care? I thought you do whatever the fuck you feel like anyway, regardless of logic ;) I remember how you bought that really nice Giro helmet and soon traded it in for one of those little hats with the brim turned up. BTW, I don't care how gnarly the bike messanger scene and riders are, those little hats still look like something you'd find on the short bus.
What you find when searching for upturnded bills:
sG, I just put the story up because I know how upset you get about fixed gears and helmets. I knew it would tickle your testies - and surprise surprise - it worked.
Actually, I sold the giro helmet for some heroin and then traded that with some guy on the short bus for an RC helicopter and retarded recumbant bike, then I crashed that silly RC toy while trying to fly it hopped up on goof balls. I took the recumbant to a swap meet and all I could get for it was that silly beanie cap.
And I think Slate was just reporting on a University of Bath press release.
Funny, I started with the beanie and ended up with the helmet throught the same path but reversed. I think we're kindred souls.
I know you were trying to rile me up so I didn't want to dissapoint.
By the way, it's redundant to call the recumbent retarded since you covered your bases by pointing out it was purchased on the short bus. You still riding that stupid ass fixie? I have a bonified electrified monorail, I mean bicycle now. I bought it so I wouldnt have to ride the short bus to school every day...
Hope you're having fun in DC.
Everyone that doesn't ride a unicycle is a wimp.
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So, have we determined if this study is 'sciency' enough to be valid? Is the methodology reasonable? Is the sample size large enough to not fool ourselves?
posted by javelina at 11:30AM CST on September 15