Comments on: A Soft Brush with the Law

By: peter

peter — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:14:55 +0000

Wouldnt it be nice to be cycling sophisticated like in Europe – I dont particularly want to wear a high vis vest or helmet, but if i came off my bike whether by car or by pot hole my head is better off with 2 inches of polystyrene between it and the road. Texting teens driving a car approaching you from behind are more likely to see a high vis vest then your tailored tweed jacket.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 09:45:17 +0000

Time and time again, Europeans have clearly stated that cycle helmets increase your risk of injury. That’s why we are the only country on the entire planet to actively enforce them. Simple. I also notice that most people pass me in a safer fashion when I am riding my vintage bike, compared to those who dress up like Lance Armstrong. Hi vis also has the same effect in making cycling more dangerous. It’s not your responsibility to be seen, it’s a drivers responsibility to look while they are steering a 1 ton metal machine through our towns.

By: Lennyboy

Lennyboy — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:38:02 +0000

The study you mean was done by Dr Ian Walker at the University of Bath – see http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/archive/overtaking110906.html (or http://drianwalker.com/overtaking/ for the actual research). Dr Walker’s theory about his findings was that someone with a helmet on was viewed as a different “sub-culture” rather than just another human being on a bike.

Nothing to do with helmets, but you might also be interested in some local research done in Wellington on motorists passing bicycles – http://cyclingwellington.co.nz/2012/10/minding-the-gap-and-the-door-zone/

By: Fiona

Fiona — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:35:01 +0000

As someone who’s cracked a helmet after taking a tumble off my bike, I don’t like to see helmet-less cyclists 🙁

By: Daniel C

Daniel C — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:26:36 +0000

I’ve heard that wearing a helmet tends to make motorists pass closer. I think there are studies but don’t have the energy to reference right now (>_<) Anywho riding out in the lane also makes motorists perceive you as a "vehicle" and therefore something to go around, as opposed to "a thing in the gutter" to speed past at close proximity.