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Cycling fatalities still make up a third of total traffic fatalities in the Netherlands. And almost 70% of those several hundreds who die in cycling accidents a

Cycling fatalities still make up a third of total traffic fatalities in the Netherlands. And almost 70% of those several hundreds who die in cycling accidents are over 65, people who are much more likely to lose their balance and are more sensitive to an impact, meaning a bit of protection would have gone a long way. That's just fatalities, think of all the non-fatal accidents, and how may of the 6000 people hospitalized each year just for unilateral accidents (with bollards or lamp-posts) need an MRI because they bumped their head. The numbers don't get better without adding protection because according to SWOV almost 80% of cycling accidents are unilateral or between cyclists. But there's a cultural opposition to helmets in many countries, chief among reasons being that "helmets don't look good" and "real cyclists don't need one". If you didn't wear one your whole life, you won't start at 65.

dmm 6y ago
30% of vehicle deaths are due to traumatic brain injuries. There's also a cultural opposition to wearing helmets in motor vehicles.
- daniel957 6y ago
  Is there a cultural opposition? In my 30 years of life, I’ve never read an article, seen a TV show, watched a movie, read a book, heard a conversation, etc where the idea about wearing helmets in cars was even discussed. I’ve never even heard a comedian joke about it. Who is opposing this? Are you saying there’s opposition just because it’s a thing that doesn’t exist?
  - mikepurvis 6y ago
    And yet, it turns out there have been various attempts at a motoring helmet over the years: https://colvilleandersen.medium.com/the-case-for-motorist-helmets-d1d6c4ae3ed2 https://colvilleandersen.medium.com/the-case-for-motorist-he... So that does open the question about whether suppression of this lifesaving technology has been something intentional on the part of automotive companies and enthusiasts (see: "jaywalking") or if it's the other way, that making road safety issues about only cycling helmets is an attempt to de-legitimize that mode and blame victims.

dmm 6y ago

30% of vehicle deaths are due to traumatic brain injuries. There's also a cultural opposition to wearing helmets in motor vehicles.

daniel957 6y ago
Is there a cultural opposition? In my 30 years of life, I’ve never read an article, seen a TV show, watched a movie, read a book, heard a conversation, etc where the idea about wearing helmets in cars was even discussed. I’ve never even heard a comedian joke about it. Who is opposing this? Are you saying there’s opposition just because it’s a thing that doesn’t exist?
- mikepurvis 6y ago
  And yet, it turns out there have been various attempts at a motoring helmet over the years: https://colvilleandersen.medium.com/the-case-for-motorist-helmets-d1d6c4ae3ed2 https://colvilleandersen.medium.com/the-case-for-motorist-he... So that does open the question about whether suppression of this lifesaving technology has been something intentional on the part of automotive companies and enthusiasts (see: "jaywalking") or if it's the other way, that making road safety issues about only cycling helmets is an attempt to de-legitimize that mode and blame victims.