Mikael Colville-Andersen: Why we shouldn't wear bike helmets

Latest Comments

• hit the nail on it's head

  I don't think I could have put it any better Tracey. Fear stops people from riding bicycles and helmet campaigns are all about installing fear into people about bicycle riding. After all, why would someone wear protective gear if they did not fear injury?
  
  The trouble is, this is an irrational fear as people on bicycles have no more risk of injury than people who walk. Another problem is there is little clear evidence helmets have been effective at reducing injury for cyclists.
  
  Attention given helmets takes away from more effective ways to keep cyclists safe (like safe infrastructure), so stop wasting time suggesting cyclists need to wear helmets, that just makes things worse.

  Posted by Brad February 17, 2013 11:52:53

• safer streets and paths the answer not this rhetoric

  Safe cycling infrastructure is the answer. A helmet will not stop the people who really want to cycle, fear will do that. Those who use a helmet as an excuse not to cycle either don't want to, aren't able to or are too lazy to cycle. Stop wasting time in anti-helmet sentiments, put them where they'll be useful and work towards more infrastructure that's safe, then maybe helmets wouldn't have to be mandated as they are now. This was the politicians Bandaid way back when cycling was considered a waste and they didn't want to spend money on getting people healthy and out of cars.

  Posted by Tracey February 11, 2013 16:38:27

• Stop the fear mongering

  Jay Paul,
  
  A cheap adverting stunt, shame on you. This is definetley not going to make anyone safer.
  Safe roads does. Insurance companies rely of fear to sell policies. Please don't discourage cycling like this. Pay for advertising space to spread your fear.

  Posted by ch1 February 08, 2013 11:18:08

• Balance For Cyclists

  One very important statistic. Only 30% of cyclist injuries result in a hospital visit involve a motor vehicle. Car/bicycle collisions get all of the attention because that is what sells newspapers and TV advertising. Helmets cut down on all head related trauma by 70%. Check out Balance for Cyclists if you are concerned about what you'd do if you suffered a STBI. www.balanceins.com.

  Posted by Jay Paul February 07, 2013 13:29:52