Dear Cycling Colleagues,
I certainly agree as well that mandatory helmet laws are a real
concern and may do much more harm than good.
However, in defense of the Cycling Embassy of Denmark and their new
publication, although I have found exactly two sentences in favor of
helmets in the 164 pages of the manual, I don't think it will be the
decisive factor in any compulsory legislation.
Most mention of helmets is in regard to campaigns and events, where
voluntary helmets are offered (e.g., Police giving hugs and helmets"
because we love you", which is quite impressive, coming from a country
where cycling is violently suppressed and police aren't allowed to
give hugs).
The two sentences are:
1) "All cyclists can improve their personal safety by using a helmet
(not compulsory in Denmark) and bicycle lights."
2) "In 2010 25% of cyclists used a helmet; in 2008 the figure was
15%. A helmet reduces the risk of head injury by 50%." (Regarding the
impacts of "Campaign by Danish Road Safety Council and Trygfonden").
Funny thing is my own perspective on helmets has been broadened,
because I was fortunate to be able to attend a Symposium on helmets
and bicycle safety in Koper, Slovenia yesterday. Here's a link
including the book of abstracts:
http://www.nielsbogerd.com/symposium/index.html
To the credit of the symposium, there were many voices against
mandatory helmet laws, and some very good presentations which made
that position clear, including one from the ECF, regarding the
importance of not mandating helmets.
At the same time, there were presenters showing associations between
helmet use and improved safety that were worth considering. A
take-home statement from one presenter was, "There's no question that
if you have an accident, you're better off if you have a helmet."
One presentation came from Ian Walker of the Department of Psychology,
University of Bath. I found his approach particularly even handed and
open-minded, in countering many assumptions and intuitive conclusions
that prevail. It was very interesting to hear the latest evidence
that behavior doesn't change when wearing a helmet. Also interesting
to hear evidence that fear increases for those who normally wear a
helmet and then take it off.
Regarding cycling in the UK, it seems drivers tend to pass more
closely to cyclists wearing helmets because they perceive them as the
"gear type" and thus more experienced; "he can handle it." In fact
helmet wearers may be more likely the inexperienced cyclists, so
they're taking exactly the opposite their intended approach.
In general I try to stay out of this debate as it is complex and can
be quite pitted, but I spoke up several times to point out weaknesses
and unknowns regarding some of the associations and assumptions
presented. One major question I haven't seen addressed enough is how
helmet users differ from non-helmet users.
Jason Meggs
===
Jason N. Meggs
University of Bologna
DICAM - Transportation Engineering Group
Viale Risorgimento, 2
40136 Bologna, Italy
Office: +39 051 209 3338
Fax: +39 051 209 3337
Mobile: +39 333 1565 787
Email: [log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
Web: http://jasonmeggs.com/
Skype: jasonmeggs
USA Phone: +1 510-725-9991
On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 4:53 PM, Jennings Gail
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Glad you included us all. I agree with you. In SA helmets are mandatory, and
> there's pressure on cyclists to police each other if we don't wear helmets!
> I've even been yelled at by drivers for not wearing a helmet, as if I'm
> breaking some law that puts them at risks! Whenever the question of
> bike-share / bike-rental comes up, there's the helmet issue that just won't
> go away...
>
>
> On 10 May 2012, at 4:45 PM, Dave du Feu wrote:
>
> Sorry all, I intended this to go to Jacob, but I guess no harm in it
> appearing in the forum in case there are other views!
>
> On 10 May 2012 15:42, Dave du Feu <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks Jakob - I've already received another email about this, and had a
>> quick look. Seems a really exciting publication.
>>
>> One thing, I really cannot understand why you are pushing helmets. We are
>> doing our best over here to try and reduce the pressure for helmets, as they
>> put people off from cycling (which also has the side effect of reducing the
>> 'safety in numbers' effect which you also endorse!)
>>
>> I'm concerned about publicising your book in some circles, as coming from
>> the one of the places which Britain looks up to as an example, it will be
>> taken as a powerful endorsement of helmets.
>>
>> We are worried that they are gaining such credibility that there is a fear
>> of compulsion coming in. There are already some charity bike rides, aimed
>> at ordinary cyclists, not racers, where under-18s are banned from taking
>> part if they are unhelmeted.
>>
>> Dave du Feu
>> Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign
>> [Edinburgh, Scotland]
>>
>>
>>
>> On 10 May 2012 15:32, Jakob Schiøtt Stenbæk Madsen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear All,
>>>
>>> The Cycling Embassy of Denmark has just finished up a new publication
>>> "Collection of Cycle Concepts 2012". The first edition of Collection of
>>> Cycle Concepts was published in 2000 and enjoyed a wide circulation among
>>> everyone interested in bicycle traffic. The simultaneous publication of the
>>> English version spread the Danish bicycle traffic experience to many parts
>>> of the world. The second edition, Collection of Cycle Concepts 2012, updates
>>> the field, featuring new challenges and the latest knowledge.
>>>
>>> Collection of Cycle Concepts 2012 is not intended to be a summary of
>>> Danish road standards, but to provide inspiration and motivation for
>>> creating more and safer bicycle traffic - in Denmark as well as the rest of
>>> the world.
>>>
>>> You can have a look and download the publication here:
>>> http://www.cycling-embassy.dk/2012/05/10/cycle-concepts2012/
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>> Jakob Schiøtt Stenbæk Madsen
>>> Project Officer
>>>
>>> M. +45 40 70 83 62
>>>
>>> Danish Cyclists' Federation
>>> Rømersgade 5
>>> DK-1362 København K
>>>
>>> T. +45 33 32 31 21
>>> [log in to unmask]
>>> www.cyklistforbundet.dk
>>
>>
>
> --
> ** Spokes: spokes.org.uk; twitter.com/SpokesLothian
> ** Personal: twitter.com/DaveduFeu; flickr.com/photos/34847720@N03/sets
> ** Great sites: badscience.net, 38degrees.org.uk, copenhagenize.com,
> thebikestation.org.uk, ghgonline.org
>
>
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