Bike helmets – a dangerous fixation? On the bike helmet’s place in the cycling safety

For all discussions about this "lively" subject. All topics that are substantially about helmet usage will be moved here.
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LinusR
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Bike helmets – a dangerous fixation? On the bike helmet’s place in the cycling safety

Post by LinusR »

Good summary by Road CC on this recent report by a professor at Heidelberg University on the "road safety" industry's attitude to helmet wearing. http://road.cc/content/news/237298-helmet-fixation-distracts-effective-safety-strategies-says-us-professor

Full text of academic paper which is free to access here: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23800127.2018.1432088?scroll=top&needAccess=true&

"The helmet fixation redirects attention away from the overarching problem of vehicular violence, assisting in its denial.”

The study focuses on the United States but almost exactly applies to United Kingdom.
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SmilerGB
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Re: Bike helmets – a dangerous fixation? On the bike helmet’s place in the cycling safety

Post by SmilerGB »

I agree.

It’s the typical quick/easy fix that masks the problem by directing the issue away from the actual issue.

It’s motorists perception of cyclists & their vulnerability that needs to change.

Helmets will not encourage this sort of change.
The bicycle is a simple solution to some of the world's most complicated problems.
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