Safety and Education Committee Report
Are you safer riding without a helmet?
If you are involved in an accident wearing a helmet could prevent a serious injury or even save your life but safety is more than just surviving an accident. Proper safety procedures are risk based. One must look at all the risks involved, implement procedures to minimize these risks and take steps deal with unexpected events. Accidents are by definition an unexpected, so wearing a helmet seems logical.
You are more comfortable with your head covered while cycling. Bicycle helmets are specifically designed for the protection and comfort of a cyclist and can be purchased for less than $10. Some people wear less appropriate headwear or ride bareheaded.
Clowns need their costumes”
A college professor and “avid” cyclist chooses to ride without a helmet. To justify his insipient behavior he mounted ultra-sonic measuring equipment on his bicycle. He measured the difference in distance of overtaking vehicles when riding with or without a helmet while commuting over a two month period. He was passed by 2500 cars and found that the overtaking vehicles were 3.5 inches closer (with an average distance of over three feet) when he wore a helmet. He also collided with truck and a bus (but didn’t fall down) while wearing his helmet. Using the results of this survey he proclaimed it was safer to ride without a helmet. This preposterous conclusion has received extensive media coverage which has given it credibility.
Before one joins this “Parade of Fools” they should look at the facts objectively. Assuming 20 vehicles per mile passed the bicyclist; the survey required 125 miles to complete with an average trip of less than two miles. He had two accidents involving large commercial vehicle operators. They have the best overall safety records and frequently retire with perfect records. From 1996 to 2005, 225 cyclists died on New York City streets; 97 percent of them were un-helmeted. Many un-helmeted adult bicyclists are unlicensed due to substance abuse or mental incapacity. The prudent driver will give these unpredictable road hazards a wide berth. I’ve encountered problems while cycling with motorists that were avoiding these un-helmeted hazards. Competent (helmeted) cyclists are treated as vehicles and given normal clearance (3-4’) when passing. The incidence of over-taking vehicle accidents is very low and the tester didn’t fall in either one of his.
Following the lead of a successful role model is a proven path to success; but one can easily find someone with higher mileage and a better safety record to emulate. Choosing to ride without a helmet may feel safer but the facts prove otherwise. Increasing risk and being less comfortable is a poor trade for the added clearance gained.
“Many people would rather die than think; and some do”.
Bill Fisk- Safety and Education
Safety and Education Coordinator
Archive Safety Articles
Which Foot Down?
Preparing For Rain
Stopping in the Roadway
Encountering Animals
Why I Commute by Bike
Your Bike and Knee
You Can be Too Far Right
Wrong Way Cyclists
Choosing the Right Tire
Don't Scare the Slow Guy
Using Your Front Brake
How Safe is Bicycling?
How Safe is Your Helmet?
Making Left Turns
Where on the Road Do You Belong?
Rumble strips on the Shoulder