Encantador, As it is some way back in the thread I hope no-one will mind if I copy the post to which you refer here (
emphasis added this time):
I too would be interested to know if this cyclist was wearing a helmet, but not with a view to crusading in favour of them: it would be useful if all news reports of collisions and injuries involving cyclists stated whether or not a helmet was being worn. This would demonstrate to the public that a)helmet wearing does not prevent accidents (an incredible assumption made by many who have asked me why I do not wear one), b) they provide no protection whatsoever to 95% of the cyclist's body (an obvious fact to which many seem oblivious), and c) they provide very little additional protection to the small part they do cover.
If such information was widely available it would help to counteract the propaganda in favour of wearing helmets which actually has a detrimental effect on cyclists' safety: most motorists on seeing a cyclist ahead, wearing a helmet, and recalling the propaganda, subconsciously assume that the cyclist is just as well protected as they are in their tin box and overtake recklessly, while others, a self-righteous minority, perhaps, decide to teach the cyclist a lesson for ignoring the propaganda and pass in a similarly reckless manner.There is, fortunately, a third category, who on seeing a cyclist ahead, bare-headed, drive extra carefully in his or her vicinity, something I have proved if only anecdotally, by sometimes wearing a cap, and sometimes not. Even a woolly bonnet suggests to some motorists that a cyclist is "protected", whereas a bare head suggests vulnerability. Bareheaded female cyclists with long hair, (or males who don a long blond wig) will notice this effect most, as the male motorist, obeying a primeval instinct, will often regard the female (or apparently female) cyclist as weak and in need of care and protection.
And here is a reply to Peckerman's query:
I have ridden a pedal cycle, and latterly electrically assisted pedal cycles, for the past 30 years (thirtieth anniversary this month as it happens). In that time I have, fortunately, never been knocked off, but I have fallen off on around six occasions (skidding on ice or oil), never once hitting my head, but skinning my knees, or hands, or elbows, bruising my shoulder, and last winter cracking a rib (having fallen forward over the bike which skidded sideways, and landing on my chest between the road and which was a metal bodied pocket camera which survived the collision better than my ribs, though they healed up naturally within a few weeks without medical intervention).
None of this has persuaded me, of course, that wearing a helmet would be beneficial, but I have taken to wearing gloves (although that is partly to keep my fingers warm at all times and perhaps reduce the onset of arthritis in my knuckles), and I now have a thinner plastic camera kept in a side pocket well away from my ribs. Years ago I fitted a rear view mirror so that I can see what is coming up behind me, particularly vehicles, especially long vehicles, which might swing left across me (we had a tragic death in Edinburgh recently where a helmet wearing cyclist was killed instantly by a long vehicle turning left).
In addition I try not to ride over ice, and look out for oil. In town I have always ridden with the tips of my fingers on both brake levers, and kept my speed down especially downhill on main roads where vehicles are likely to emerge from side roads.
As for the children who are now all over 16, I have never advised them to wear helmets, but when they were younger I always insisted that they never ride among motor vehicles (and I follow that policy myself whenever I can, using the extra power now from the electric propulsion to get through any high speed main road sections which I cannot avoid). I have also advised them to keep their speed down now that they are riding on city roads, and to wear a bright yellow cycle jacket, but unfortunately they will not accept that advice.
I am fully aware that none of these precautions will prevent me or the family ever being knocked off, or when we go out as pedestrians, or motor vehicle passengers, being killed or injured. We have family membership of the CTC (and I have other legal insurance cover) so that if the worst happens we can at least set the lawyers on the offender's insurance company.
My proposals to improve safety for all are:
- much more intensive policing and rigorous enforcement of road traffic law;
- constant speed monitoring of all vehicles at all times by in-built monitors which will deduct the fine at midnight every day in a manner similar to the collection of the London congestion charge;
- and above all, the physical separation of cyclists (and pedestrians) from motor vehicles at all times (except when they are drivers or passengers in such vehicles, in which case they should be compelled/(advised?) to wear helmets, although, as motor cyclists will know, they are not 100% effective at motor vehicle speeds).