Comments on: My comment to Radio 2 on cycle helmets http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/ Because every silver lining has a cloud. Or something. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:56:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Andrew http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/comment-page-1/#comment-829 Andrew Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:44:04 +0000 http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/#comment-829 Make Room for the Mushrooms! Make Room for the Mushrooms!

]]> By: Andy in Germany http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/comment-page-1/#comment-770 Andy in Germany Tue, 05 May 2009 14:09:50 +0000 http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/#comment-770 Unfortunately media tends to follow the prevailing wind, never mind if it's right: it'll get ratings up. I'm inclined to agree with the BHRF data as it seems to be from a wide variety of sources. I went there as a very concientious helmet wearer, and came away a lot less sure. I don't wear a helmet now, but that may be because I'm riding on relatively safe German roads... Unfortunately media tends to follow the prevailing wind, never mind if it's right: it'll get ratings up.
I'm inclined to agree with the BHRF data as it seems to be from a wide variety of sources. I went there as a very concientious helmet wearer, and came away a lot less sure. I don't wear a helmet now, but that may be because I'm riding on relatively safe German roads…

]]> By: t1mmyb http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/comment-page-1/#comment-715 t1mmyb Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:49:57 +0000 http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/#comment-715 "respect" was a word I chose and is, I admit, more loaded than the finding of Ian Walker's study, that drivers' average overtaking clearance was greater when they were passing cyclists without helmets. Lights are already compulsory, but even if they weren't it's comparing apples and polar bears. Lights will ensure that you are visible. Helmets may or may not protect you, depending on the circumstances of any given collision. Anyway, I'm still wearing my helmet, even though it won't do a lot if I come off the bike while freewheeling down The Hollow at 30 mph. "respect" was a word I chose and is, I admit, more loaded than the finding of Ian Walker's study, that drivers' average overtaking clearance was greater when they were passing cyclists without helmets.

Lights are already compulsory, but even if they weren't it's comparing apples and polar bears. Lights will ensure that you are visible. Helmets may or may not protect you, depending on the circumstances of any given collision.

Anyway, I'm still wearing my helmet, even though it won't do a lot if I come off the bike while freewheeling down The Hollow at 30 mph.

]]> By: Phil http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/comment-page-1/#comment-712 Phil Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:50:01 +0000 http://www.timandkathy.co.uk/journal/2009/03/16/my-comment-to-radio-2-on-cycle-helmets/#comment-712 "helmet-less cyclists are shown more respect" This phrasing is open to interpretation. There is more deliberate avoidance, but I think respect is the wrong word here. The BHRF seems to have a lot of "circumstantial evidence" and "anecdotally", and, in their defence, explain that good data is hard to find and hard to create. I'd give them about the same level of credence as a phone-caller on Radio 2. I cycle and walk a lot. The cars are a problem for cyclists (and potentially fatal), the cyclists are a problem for pedestrians (and potentially cause injury). Dismissing either problem is short-sighted. Do you think compulsory lights on bikes would reduce the safety for those that remain? "helmet-less cyclists are shown more respect"

This phrasing is open to interpretation. There is more deliberate avoidance, but I think respect is the wrong word here.

The BHRF seems to have a lot of "circumstantial evidence" and "anecdotally", and, in their defence, explain that good data is hard to find and hard to create. I'd give them about the same level of credence as a phone-caller on Radio 2.

I cycle and walk a lot. The cars are a problem for cyclists (and potentially fatal), the cyclists are a problem for pedestrians (and potentially cause injury). Dismissing either problem is short-sighted.

Do you think compulsory lights on bikes would reduce the safety for those that remain?

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