4 ms·

This assumes that the risk primarily originates from the riders, not from other traffic participants. Is there any data to substantiate this?

sswaner 4y ago
As an active cyclist that was my first thought. Auto drivers texting while driving is my bigger concern. I wear a helmet to hopefully survive that encounter.
sampo 4y ago
> Is there any data to substantiate this? Risk compensation is a known theory in psychology. But as is normal for psychology, arguments fly back and forth, and there is no settled consensus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation#Bicycle_helmets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation#Bicycle_helm...
littlestymaar 4y ago
There is none, the “risk compensation” theory is a myth invented by Sam Peltzman without any evidence for the phenomenon (but as a good member of the Chicago school of Economics, his goal wasn't to make scientific discovery backed by facts, but to create a narrative against state regulations of any kind)
scotty79 4y ago
Other participants take less risk with riders not wearing helmets. There's data on this. For example they leave more room between the bicycle and a car when they are passing.
- newaccount74 4y ago
  As long as they see me I don't worry. They might do stupid stuff like honk at me or pass with small distance, but it's unlikely they'll kill me. The thing I'm afraid of is a car hitting me at high speed cause they didn't see me, that would probably kill me.
- mrgoldenbrown 4y ago
  Is the data you're talking about the data from Ian Walker's study in Bath, England? The sample size was one rider - himself. Other folks have analyzed his raw data and disputed the statistical power of the effect described. That rebuttal has also been re-rebutted. So that's three published studies about this, and three sets of headlines, but as far as I can tell, there's only ever been one actual study that collected data, and it was based on one dude in one area of one country.
- alpaca128 4y ago
  There's an easy fix for that; drive in the middle of the lane. At least where I live it's impossible to legally overtake a cyclist without switching lanes so for anyone driving correctly it doesn't make a difference anyway. Of course that's not a hard rule for every situation, but after a couple situations that almost killed me I just try to reduce risks. Car drivers hate us either way.

sswaner 4y ago

As an active cyclist that was my first thought. Auto drivers texting while driving is my bigger concern. I wear a helmet to hopefully survive that encounter.

sampo 4y ago

> Is there any data to substantiate this? Risk compensation is a known theory in psychology. But as is normal for psychology, arguments fly back and forth, and there is no settled consensus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation#Bicycle_helmets https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation#Bicycle_helm...

littlestymaar 4y ago

There is none, the “risk compensation” theory is a myth invented by Sam Peltzman without any evidence for the phenomenon (but as a good member of the Chicago school of Economics, his goal wasn't to make scientific discovery backed by facts, but to create a narrative against state regulations of any kind)

scotty79 4y ago

Other participants take less risk with riders not wearing helmets. There's data on this. For example they leave more room between the bicycle and a car when they are passing.

newaccount74 4y ago
As long as they see me I don't worry. They might do stupid stuff like honk at me or pass with small distance, but it's unlikely they'll kill me. The thing I'm afraid of is a car hitting me at high speed cause they didn't see me, that would probably kill me.
mrgoldenbrown 4y ago
Is the data you're talking about the data from Ian Walker's study in Bath, England? The sample size was one rider - himself. Other folks have analyzed his raw data and disputed the statistical power of the effect described. That rebuttal has also been re-rebutted. So that's three published studies about this, and three sets of headlines, but as far as I can tell, there's only ever been one actual study that collected data, and it was based on one dude in one area of one country.
alpaca128 4y ago
There's an easy fix for that; drive in the middle of the lane. At least where I live it's impossible to legally overtake a cyclist without switching lanes so for anyone driving correctly it doesn't make a difference anyway. Of course that's not a hard rule for every situation, but after a couple situations that almost killed me I just try to reduce risks. Car drivers hate us either way.