Why are UK cyclists fixated on helmets

[User6179]

Why not just have a look at their website and policies?

I have , am just pointing out that they have an agenda and they are then looking for facts to prove that agenda .

Am sure pro helmet sites are out there with data saying the opposite .

 

[Mugshot]

Yes, but the question is why are these views so common in the UK but not in mainland Europe?

You're quite right, I was straying.
I'm sure someone will let me know if I'm wrong, but hasn't cycling in the UK grown enormously in recent years, whereas on the mainland it's been more universally regarded as a viable form of transport for far longer. Perhaps we need to look at what has caused the growth in the UK. Is it the relatively recent success that has been enjoyed by GB pro cyclists, on the track and more recently in the tours. Greater success means greater tv coverage, means more exposure to the general population, so what does a successful/real/fit cyclist look like? They wear lycra and a helmet and ride a drop handlebar bike. People want to emulate their heroes and dress as they do, or people want to get fit/lose weight, what does a real super fit cyclist look like, they wear lycra and a helmet. Did the rise in bike use in the UK start with its use as a form of exercise rather than a form of transport? If it did, did we breed a generation of cyclists that saw it as a more competitive activity, the rise of smart phones and the apps available has certainly put the ability to compete against both yourself and others within the reach of everybody, and we already know what a real cyclist wears when competing.
Then you have a trickle down effect, more cyclists on the road, more exposure, majority wearing helmets, it must be the right thing to do. More cyclists almost certainly means more people fall off and before you know it a helmet has saved their life.
The fact is that an anecdote on facebook with a picture of a cracked helmet is far more effective and far easier to process than a list of statistics.
Probably nonsense but there we go.

BTW, I know that a "real" cyclist rides a bike.

 

[JonUK4]

I'd agree that idolism is probably a strong factor coming from the media. Making assumptions here but perhaps Europeans see the cyclist as the commuter, the bike is just a car alternative. For me it's a hobby, I want to be that image to some extent.

(and it still makes me feel safer!)

 

[Scoosh]

MOD NOTE:
@User, @Eddy - over here please ...

 

[Mugshot]

I'd agree that idolism is probably a strong factor coming from the media. Making assumptions here but perhaps Europeans see the cyclist as the commuter, the bike is just a car alternative. For me it's a hobby, I want to be that image to some extent.

(and it still makes me feel safer!)

If you mean emulating the pros then that's a very honest statement, thank you

 

[Mugshot]

[QUOTE 2987068, member: 259"]I have two neighbours who also commute to work, and I've never once seen them wearing a helmet on the way to work.

They also go out with a club, and they do wear helmets then, along with all the club/team kit. I guess they're going a lot faster, but looking the part is a big factor too. I'll have to interrogate them!

(I live in Belgium, by the way).[/QUOTE]
Do they have to wear a helmet?

 

[User6179]

The only agenda I see is to provide an objective resource.

Objective-not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.

BTW am not saying they are right or wrong on whether helmets save lives , most of the experts would say the same that the data is inconclusive , what am saying is the article is bias and is far removed from being objective.

 

[SteveH - Reading]

The schools here teach it !!! My daughter came home and was in tears because i rode without one, and the teachers had told them that i was risking my life !!

Not sure how likely it is that my life would be saved by being hit by a 4-wheel drive monster pulling out of a side road without looking properly, but I now wear one all the time .... to stop my daughter getting upset.

 

[Markymark]

It's now self-perpetuating in the UK. For some reason ago in the past, more cyclists wore helmets than not. As the new wave of cyclists join in, more follow the consensus of wearing one so the ratio increases as the number increases, particularly as those new to cycling think wearing a helmet is erring on the side of caution.

The fixation comes from non-wearers who see Europe's lower rates and, (I'm guessing here as I always wear one) annoyed being told to wear one from everyone else and worry about compulsory.

 

[Mugshot]

The fixation comes from non-wearers who see Europe's lower rates and, (I'm guessing here as I always wear one) annoyed being told to wear one from everyone else and worry about compulsory.

Surely the fixation in your statement comes from the wearers telling the non-wearers that they should be wearing one?

 

[MontyVeda]

Surely the fixation in your statement comes from the wearers telling the non-wearers that they should be wearing one?

i think more non-cyclists have told me i should wear a helmet than cyclists.

 

[Markymark]

Surely the fixation in your statement comes from the wearers telling the non-wearers that they should be wearing one?

That's what I said. People who don't wear one being told they should.

 

[Mugshot]

[QUOTE 2987095, member: 259"]Almost certainly not for club runs, but yes for races.[/QUOTE]
I get the impression that there's probably quite a lot of peer pressure on club runs, I'm not a member of a club but did join a local one through facebook, it's much more social than competitive. I've not been for a ride with them as they always go on a Saturday morning when I'm working which I didn't realise initially, however one of the other members recently posted;

"What do you call a cyclist that doesn't wear a helmet?"

"An organ donor."

So I don't think I'd be too welcome on one of their rides if I did show up.

 

[ianrauk]

i think more non-cyclists have told me i should wear a helmet than cyclists.

Well this seem's to be the norm.
I had a conversation with a rep of one of my customers yesterday, a car driver. Commuting to work came up in the conversation. She came out with the 'I hope you wear a helmet'. I just said don't even go there.

 

[Mugshot]

That's what I said. People who don't wear one being told they should.

I could be wrong but I thought you said the fixation comes from non-wearers. If non-wearers are getting annoyed at being told to wear one then surely the fixation is coming from the wearers?