Why are UK cyclists fixated on helmets

[Pat "5mph"]

Some people don't realise you're not a serious cyclist Pat "35mph", others know you're way past that, you're hard core.

35mph?
.... Not even when I've got to get down the massive hills the CC Ecosse folks drag me up!
Seriously, how can I be offended by what folks think about "cyclists"?
I just smile and invite them to join me on a ride, hard to convince them a 30 miler is good exercise

 

[Pat "5mph"]

The point has no merit at all. What we wear to cycle in has no bearing on how much we care about each other's safety.

Well, try to convince the ordinary non cycling folks. It's just one opinion they have, akin to "the menace of the red light jumping cyclists" and the "cyclist should ride in the cycling lanes where they exist" the latter was said to me by a colleague, a car driver that has done bikability in her youth - that's what she said, anyway.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Because it is my near universal observation that people who have the brakes detached because they can't true a wheel, or ride without lights, have an unswerving faith in Hi-viz and helmets

Well, this is nobody's fault. Truly, when the ordinary person that has last ridden a bike as a child decides to "get fit", cycle to work, do their bit for the environment, save money on fuel or bus fares, who the heck shows him/her how to true a wheel?
There is practically no support for the beginner commuter/utilitarian cyclist, the one that needs to rely on the bike for transport.
Easy as to jump on a bike ... not! I have been at it for 2 years now, learning slowly about mechanicals, takes time to be non reliant from your LBS, that is if you can find one bothered to do small jobs and if you have money to pay for the repairs, another bike to use in the meantime.
Easy to know what to wear though, just look at other cyclists: they got helmet and hi-viz, you get them too.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

None of which says anything about their capacity to care about their own and others' safety. You made the connection yourself, in your first post on this subject.

I think Pat was describing the association made by others, not expressing her personal opinion.

GC

 

[Pat "5mph"]

None of which says anything about their capacity to care about their own and others' safety. You made the connection yourself, in your first post on this subject.

I told you that was NOT what I think, it is what others non cycling folks think of cyclists.
As I said, could be one reason why in the UK there is a helmet fixation.

 

[MontyVeda]

Do you understand what 'implies' means?

not sure... is it like putting words in to someone's mouth?

 

[MontyVeda]

You all need to go back and actually read what I wrote before you start insulting me as well.

calm down TMN. I think you're over reacting to Pat's post... and I'm being my usual teasing (or maybe slightly trolling) self.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

It is just part of that guilt and blame transference thing drivers do.

It might surprise you that some (don't have statistics, just chat a lot) non drivers think this too. Twice in recent months friends that never took a driving lesson in their lives mentioned helmets and hi-viz as something necessary for riding a bike.
Again, not my opinion, the opinion of pedestrians/public transport users.
Now, what I think is that in the UK (as asked about by the op) the lack of natural light plus the lack of cycling infrastructures makes folks think "wait a minute, it's dark, I need to mix with motorized traffic, what could make me more visible, what could protect me a bit if I fall off?"
All reasonable imo, until of course you cycle for a bit, fall off a couple of times (ermm...) read CC a bit more, discover different.
Can't blame people that blame me for going sometimes without helmet, never mind getting offended by them. When more people take cycling to places as a matter of fact, not an exception, perception of risk will alter.

 

[MontyVeda]

out of interest... what do you think Pat's post implies?

 

[Brandane]

I think Pat was describing the association made by others, not expressing her personal opinion.

GC

"Blindingly obvious", in the words of another .

 

[Big Nick]

Wow the above is all the proof you need never to mention helmets in any of your threads !!

I tried it once but didn't get away with it either !!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I think Pat was describing the association made by others, not expressing her personal opinion.

GC

I've got Pat down as the messenger in this one too.

 

[Wobblers]

Wow the above is all the proof you need never to mention helmets in any of your threads !!

I tried it once but didn't get away with it either !!

But did you mention The War?

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I saw a government infomercial (or whatever they're called) tonight telling drivers not to act like dicks around horses.
So things like this can still be made. We're just not important enough I suppose

 

[Wobblers]

I've had the pleasure of meeting both TMN and Pat "more than 5mph" and can safely say that they are both splendid people.

I can appreciate @Pat "5mph"'s point that there is a perception that cyclists who don't dress up in the helmeted radioactive lemon uniform are less cautious with their, and other's safety - and that this isn't her own opinion! But I also certainly understand @User13710's point that this is a deeply offensive attitude. Understand and agree with, because this assumption that those who don't wear the hi-vis are willfully negligent is insulting. In fact, it's worse than that: it's a particularly odious form of victim blaming. It is this sort of pernicious reasoning which all too often leads to the attitude: "it's only a cyclist, it got what it deserved" that not merely infests that cesspit which is the Daily Mail but all too often informs police indifference to bullying - or worse - by motorists. Sadly, you don't need to look far on this forum for examples of the latter.

This, I think, has been a side effect of helmet promotion. It is the inevitable consequence of shifting the duty of care from motorist to cyclist. Once you have accepted the idea that it is the cyclist who must bear the burden of risk mitigation it is a very small step to shifting the blame onto the weaker party. Put simply, promotion of hi-vis and helmet wearing is promotion of the concept of the car as king. Picture a fume-filled gridlocked road going nowhere- forever.