Comments on The Urban Country Bicycle Blog: Barriers to Cycling: Debunking the Myths

I'll be much more willing to accept that expec...

2012-01-15T17:52:50.443-05:00

I'll be much more willing to accept that expectation of me, as a cyclist, if the same expectation is applied to all people who drive/ride in any type of motor vehicles. More than 2/3rd's of fatalities involving auto accidents are from people who were inside cars, not to mention all the serious and non-serious injuries every year. Are all these victims (who were in cars) not similarly inducing a cost to the taxpayer, to the insurance agencies, to society? Why should cyclist be held to a higher standard when it's inattentive drivers who cause the majority of the damage in collisions, and who make our roads and cities so dangerous and user-unfriendly?

I think I have the answer: it's a pain, is inconvenient and uncomfortable having to wear a helmet as a driver, passenger, or cyclist at all times. But I guess since >80% of the population drives or rides in motor vehicles it's okay to not hold them to that standard. Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of the negative response that that would incite in the general population. But cyclist, that 1% of the population that dares to challenge the auto-centric culture in North America, make them responsible for their own safety. And make them take all the blame if they don't wear that $15 foam encased in plastic bought from Target.
Oh I just wonder what would happen if someone tried to mandate that pedestrians wear helmets at all times when outdoors. Given that just about everyone is one in such situations, I don't think it would go too well...

More pictures of pretty women on bicycles please! ...

2011-12-27T07:36:44.289-05:00

More pictures of pretty women on bicycles please! I think plastering images of freindly, lovely ladies on bicycles everywhere will increase ridership.

I consider myself educated and an experienced ride...

2011-12-27T07:30:56.488-05:00

I consider myself educated and an experienced rider, and still wear helmets. I don't believe in mandatory helmet laws though. American driver education is BS though, esp regarding bicycles. I call the cops on wrong way cyclists any time I see them. I asked one why he was riding the wrong way. He said "so I can see the cars coming."

you couldn't drag out a source for that 50% dr...

2011-11-09T20:54:20.061-05:00

you couldn't drag out a source for that 50% drop stat, post-helmet, here in Australia?

The key here is that they didn't wait until th...

2011-11-09T17:12:56.103-05:00

The key here is that they didn't wait until the rate of cycling declined to 1%. They addressed the issue before car culture took over. They protested and demanded better infrastructure. But in order to protest for better infrastructure, they needed enough people to care about it for politicians to actually care. If only 1% of trips were by bicycle when they were demanding better infrastructure, they probably would have gotten about as far as we are getting in our cities.

I would love to get great infrastructure of course. But I'm a realist, and I don't think politicians and city builder will give a shit until there is enough people demanding better infrastructure that it would actually hurt their career to ignore our needs.

I think advocates tend to put too much emphasis on the infrastructure while ignoring the culture, and then we end up spinning our wheels and not getting anywhere (in Toronto they are ripping out bike lanes because the majority of people in the Toronto area drive cars and don't want bike lanes).

If we can change people's perceptions, and get drivers to support bike infrastructure (in other words, change the societal culture), then we will make much better progress than we are now.

The number of people cycling in the Netherlands wa...

2011-11-09T14:25:19.460-05:00

The number of people cycling in the Netherlands was in sharp decline and the death rate rising, the difference is that they didn't stand back and say "Oh we just need to get more people cycling and then we will get great infrastructure", they protested and demanded better infrastructure.

I can think of a single example of where number of cyclist increased significantly and then the infrastructure followed. As far as I know, it is always the other way around.

I'd like to do a careful study of the Dutch mo...

2011-11-09T13:27:18.721-05:00

I'd like to do a careful study of the Dutch model sometime and put it into an article. My perspective is that the Dutch cultivated bicycling culture as car culture was increasing. They didn't start building bike infrastructure at a time when very few people were riding bicycles. In a democracy you need public support in order to change things.

In North America (and UK & Australia), car culture took over and it's extremely hard to get public support for anything outside of car transportation because car culture is so deeply ingrained in our society.

That's why I try to focus just as much on the culture & society's perspective as I do on pushing for infrastructure. When people start to look at transportation as more than just "cars", they will see the benefits of having other options and politicians will eventually have no choice but to listen.

No, the Dutch didn't get it wrong. The Dutch w...

2011-11-09T13:10:27.380-05:00

No, the Dutch didn't get it wrong. The Dutch were able to get the infrastructure because they already had a significant number of people cycling. They didn't just build their infrastructure at a time when only 1% of trips are by bike (which is what we are trying to do here).

Infrastructure is very important, but we'll never get infrastructure like the Dutch if only 1% of trips are by bike.

Cultivating the culture will expedite the infrastructure. When the politicians and city builders ride bikes to work, we will see much better infrastructure, which will bring even more people on to bikes.

The Dutch just didn't wake up one morning with great infrastructure and everybody all of the sudden started riding. The culture will help bring the infrastructure, and the infrastructure will expand the culture.

Barrier #2 – Lack of Infrastructure. Um, so you ar...

2011-11-09T12:43:43.239-05:00

Barrier #2 – Lack of Infrastructure. Um, so you are saying that the Dutch got it wrong? They say the reason they have so many cyclist is because they put in the infrastructure not the other way around (check here). If cycling infrastructure is under-utilized, then there is a problem with the quality of the infrastructure, this is very common in the UK where I am.

Typical rightly thinking - simple solutions to com...

2011-11-09T12:33:29.227-05:00

Typical rightly thinking - simple solutions to complicated problems. Helmets shouldn't even be an issue for urban cycling. If you're racing, MTB, BMX, road, by all means this is what helmets are designed for - wear it. Cycling in the city I have 0 chance of falling or crashing on my own. If a car runs me over, I'm dead anyway helmet or no. The is growing scientific evidence that cycling with a helmet is more dangerous than without one. The reason? Cars leave more space. Yes someone tested this using an experimental design (apparently it also helps to be female - cars keep more distance). No mandatory helmets, they only serve drive people back into their cars, which is what the righty holier-than-thou types want anyway.

Hi. I was struck (rear ended) by a vehicle doing h...

2011-09-18T09:34:56.208-04:00

Hi. I was struck (rear ended) by a vehicle doing highway speeds (45MPH 'at least') I was thrown at least 100 feet. My helmet had cracks in multiple places. My bike were totaled. I suffered a broken backbone (thank goodness a minor break with no spinal cord injury) and lots of road rash. It is likely that I'm typing this due to my helmet. Sure they are not perfect - but I would probably be dead without mine. I do respect the decision not to wear a helmet - but I know I won't take a single trip without mine.

Those who like stories of "Helmet saved my li...

2011-09-18T08:42:09.808-04:00

Those who like stories of "Helmet saved my life" should google "surfing helmet saved my life". The same stories are told about surfing helmets. Last time I checked water was still soft and yet we have polititians here in Australia calling for mandatory surfing helmets. This helps get things into perspective.
Have we gone mad?

Ok, new social contract for those are "educat...

2011-05-14T02:37:15.418-04:00

Ok, new social contract for those are "educated" and hate people infringing on their "rights" to not wear a helmet because they are aware and responsible.

There is a reason we call them accidents, injuries occur even to the most preventive and aware as accidents are never 100% preventable!!

If a paramedic ever has to scrape you up off the road (and I truly hope this never happens), if you suffer head injuries and it can be shown that it is related to not wearing your helmet - you agree to foot your own medical bills for life, not the taxpayer. That's your premium for freedom.

Isn't that ridiculous? The reality is that many people insisting on riding their bicycle while not wearing their helmet could never manage that financial burden on their own so act, it is passed on the taxpayers.

Those funds would be better spent on more bike paths and services than cleaning up after people who insist on their rights even when it jeopardizes the common good and overall community enjoyment.

There is a reason behind smoking bans and seatbelt laws, otherwise individuals would exercise their freedoms and alot of innocent community members would suffer from those acts.

So please act like a responsible citizen, be community-minded, do your part and wear your helmet!

This is just silly! No helmets means drivers will ...

2011-05-14T02:15:01.610-04:00

This is just silly! No helmets means drivers will be more careful? How does that help you when you are startled by an animal or hit a pothole or debris that you didn't see in advance?

I live along a major bike path and I see them scraping up bicyclists all of the time after collisions with pedestrians, motorists, debris, animals and due to mechanical failures (a topic for another day).

In regards to the comparison to helmet wearing in vehicles (comment by author: it's only fair), it just doesn't work. Helmets are the same protection to bicyclists (and anyone else openly exposed on wheels e.g. skateboarders, rollerbladers) as seat-belts are to motorists.

Bicyclists can actually carry the same speeds as motorcyclists, and they are required to wear helmets by law. Should motorcyclists stop wearing their helmets to "increase awareness" of drivers around them?

Should everyone in a motor vehicle stop wearing their seat-belts and advertise it on a bumper sticker "Caution: No Seat-belts on Board".

People, please use your heads (and common sense) and put a helmet on!!

Should children wear helmets?

2011-03-10T07:30:13.371-05:00

Should children wear helmets?

I don't think Copenhagenize is against helmets...

2011-02-13T22:58:06.497-05:00

I don't think Copenhagenize is against helmets at all. They acknowledge that there are times and places you need them. The author is looking at very specific situation- riding around a city. He's not talking about doing tricks, training for a competition, or a bike game.

And it is evident by the passion on this thread that someone out there needs to stick up for those of us who choose to look at things with a balanced eye.

Helmets are the quick easy solutions Americans love. Teaching people how to ride their bikes, know what dangerous situations they could be up against out on the road and how to deal would take time and effort.

I choose to educate myself. That is my helmet.

You lost all credibility once you started in with ...

2011-01-05T21:27:44.321-05:00

You lost all credibility once you started in with the Copenhagenize propaganda. They area militantly anti-helmet to the point where they don't just argue against mandatory helmet laws but attack those who choose to wear helmets.

I want to wear a helmet. I don't care if it clashes with your sense of style. I don't tell you what to wear on your head, stop trying to tell me what to wear on mine.

Clearly helmets reduce the risk of injury while cy...

2010-10-06T15:37:38.685-04:00

Clearly helmets reduce the risk of injury while cycling, to argue that is ridiculous. They may not save you every-time but nothing can. I've been biking without a helmet for years but plan to start in the new year, atleast for long trips.

But mandatory helmet laws are also ridiculous. Like what all ready been said mandatory helmet laws will only decrease the amount cyclists on the roads and in turn make it more dangerous. If you are over 18 there is no reason you should be forced to wear a helmet, we all have to take some personal responsibility.

Building proper infrastructure and a strong cycling population is the way to make cycling safer and enjoyable. Cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Berlin have already shown this to be true and there is no reason why the principles they've used can't be repurposed in North American cities.

Mandatory helmet people: please explain why all yo...

2010-09-17T18:46:26.893-04:00

Mandatory helmet people: please explain why all your arguments shouldn't be applied to pedestrians. Thanks.

In Australia, once cycle helmet wearing became law...

2010-09-06T09:43:27.295-04:00

In Australia, once cycle helmet wearing became law the number of cycle trips decreased by 50% overnight. In the UK it has been shown that cycle helmets are only effective in low impact collisions.
The British Medical Association also recommend that in the UK cycle helmet wearing should not become law as the long term effects of people doing less excercise would have far greater negative impacts on people's health. That's my two-pennies worth.

"In a car you are surrounded by a steel shell...

2010-08-03T04:24:20.244-04:00

"In a car you are surrounded by a steel shell . . ."

. . . to bang your head against; which is one of the reasons there are so many head injury fatalities in car accidents.

Mike "The Bike" Hailwood (who died in street car crash while taking his kids out for some chips), veteran of motor cycle and auto racing, was once asked in an interview whether cars or bikes were the more dangerous. Hailwood noted that it is more intuitive that bikes should be more dangerous because in car you are "protected" by a shell, but that in fact cars are more dangerous because it is your own car that kills you.

I take a dislike to the use of the word 'FACT&...

2010-05-27T17:23:28.120-04:00

I take a dislike to the use of the word 'FACT' being banded around by various posters, especially the gross imagery some feel they need to include to add the 'fear factor' and emphasise their opinion. There is so much information and several studies contrasting with said 'FACT' on both sides of the argument, regardless of personal experience.

I agree with the safety and potentially life saving element of wearing a helmet having been saved by one myself, but conversly also subscribe to the idea that in doing so creates attitude 'deficiencies' such as apathy to themselves and surrounding envronment, impaired judgement and false confidence in riders. This is based on sweating and overheating (sweat beads dripping down your face or into eyes is rather distracting!) even with the best helmets, never mind factors such as reduced field of vision and drivers' perception of cyclist.

I cycled with a helmet for 3 years and without for 20 to date, although I suppose I should now know better after my experience!

Having adopted the helmet-less and more cautious, aware cyclist approach, I have been given more clearance by drivers and been involved in no-near miss incidents which where common place when helmeted.

Conclusion therefore being 'FACT' as stated by many cannot be such, merely personal opinion and don't even get me started on statistics!

Great debate though, happy cycling all.

I can't believe helmets are even being debated...

2010-05-19T19:00:42.080-04:00

I can't believe helmets are even being debated. How can anyone say they don't make riding safer or that they actually could make it less safe. Comparing riding a bike with a helmet to driving a car with a helmet is possibly the dumbest analogy ever. In a car you are surrounded by a steel shell design to absorb enormous amounts of force in an accident and then they add airbags. On a bike; nothing. I am not saying helmets are the one thing that saves lives but it surely increases ones odds of less head injuries from a fall or accident. And to the person who said they only help if you fall or land on the helmet; that is the point if the helmet idiot. If not, it would be your skull. I can't even believe I am still typing trying to explain this, it;s like 2+2=4. That's it; fact. Same goes for helmets and wearing one is safer. Fact.

If I was riding my bike in Amsterdam in the middle...

2010-05-18T20:31:11.938-04:00

If I was riding my bike in Amsterdam in the middle of city with many bike paths with not much speed I would not wear a helmet either. But... I am a roadbike cyclist and I ride very fast, at times I go down hills above 40-50 mph, I would no way want to be without a helmet at that speed no matter what, last year I had a 30mph crash and I broke my ribs and my $175 Giro helmet cracked open but saved my head, I appreciated helmets after that event. Wear your helmet if you are a fast rider.

you're a complete dumbass to say helmets don&#...

2010-04-14T22:53:01.412-04:00

you're a complete dumbass to say helmets don't do anything.