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

[mr-bizarre.livejournal.com]

I've just taken up cycling, I do still ride my motorbike to work everyday as I wouldn't want to take on rush hour traffic with no means of acceleration. I know what you mean about jumping lights, it can be so frustrating having to stop and start all the time and if there is space....And seeing as cyclists don't pay any road tax (they still take up space) then why should they stop at the lights if it's safe to continue. It never bothers me when I'm on the motorbike and cyclists ride straight through.

One of my biggest peeves on the road is pedestrians walking across the road without looking, scary on a cycle, much worse on a motorbike as they're not insured! In 9 years of riding motorbikes I've hit 2 pedestrians, one of them needed a hospital visit, both times I was fine and both times there were witnesses that saw said 'walkers' make like lemmings. I've even had mothers push a pram out before themselves, possibly to 'test the water', utter insanity!!!