You're safer not wearing a cycle helmet, according to research...

[emmelinemay]

Bicyclists who wear protective helmets are more likely to be struck by passing vehicles, new research suggests.

and what i think is the crux of the matter...
Most adult cyclists know what it is like to drive a car, but relatively few motorists ride bicycles in traffic, and so don’t know the issues cyclists face.

There should definitely be more information on the needs of other road users when people learn to drive, and practical experience would be even better.

and this made me laugh -

To test another theory, Dr Walker donned a long wig to see whether there was any difference in passing distance when drivers thought they were overtaking what appeared to be a female cyclist.

Whilst wearing the wig, drivers gave him an average of 14 centimetres (5.5 inches) more space when passing.

Comments

[miss-soap.livejournal.com]

s/aren't looking/can't see.

Bikes can be hidden by other vehicles and you just don't see them when you check. Obviously the answer to this is to check harder, but cyclists can't always assume that it's just total ignorance on the part of the pedestrian.

I've been struck twice by cyclists when crossing on a green man at traffic lights. Both times the cyclist clearly had no intention of stopping at the red lights and both times I got a mouthful of abuse for the incident.

There are assholes on all sides of the argument [as with everything] but cyclists are in a weaker position as regards the rules of the road and therefore need to appear squeaky clean.