TreeUnit

https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2893122&page=1

Click on the "Video>Click to Watch" on the left, and choose the John Stossel clip.

The clip shows that helmets put you at a greater risk on the road. Drivers have a tendency to tailgate bikers with helmets.

FlatFender

I tend to fall on my own more than I get hit by a car. Ill take my chances and wear my helmet.

Bob N.

What color wig are you getting Treeunit?

chicharron

The conclusions implied by the video didn't prove to me that you are safer without a helmet. Of course, helmets cannot guarantee anything, I feel that I am better off wearing a helmet. Of course I would resist any legislation mandating their use.

BikeManDan

The conclusion made in the video is that when drivers see a helmet, they treat the cyclist as someone who knows what they're doing. You therefore see closer passes and less exaggerated swerves into the opposite lane.

I'm personally fine by this. I actually PREFER cars to pass closer. Am I crazy? Probably but my rationale though is that as long as the car isn't hitting me or causing me to change course its fine and the further they stay out of the opposite lane the safer it is for other drivers on the road.

socalrider

I wonder if John Stossel would of preferred having or not having a helmet before being hit by that pro wrestler, when he asked him if wrestling was fake..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C35wyVQxXUA

donnamb 

There are a couple of thought-provoking comments to this piece here.

Garandman

I ride on a lot of narrow back streets in Boston. The cars come just as close either way because there's no room for them otherwise.

I don't think the author has ever visited a head injury facility, or any discussion of not wearing a helmet would be moot. As the bikies [motorcyclists] say, "$5 head, $5 helmet."

georgiaboy

The theory and tests presented in this video illlustrate, in a limited way, how cagers react to persons with and without helmets. It's conclusions have no bearing on whether it's safer to use a bicycle helmet or not. The test measured the activity of the drivers. No where did I see any test that actually involved the helmet. So, why are they trying to say this has anything to do with bicycle helmets?

chipcom 

I don't wear helmets much, but that 'study', which has been discussed countless times here in BF, is so full of holes it makes swiss cheese look like a wall of titanium. I think the best conclusion that can be drawn from it is that if you look 'different' and unpredictable, drivers probably give you a wider berth.

georgiaboy

A good study that really gives clear results can produce data that is clear to make a conclusion. In other words, the data is so convincing just provide that data and the conclusions are self evident. In this report the opposite happens. No real data and they spoon feed the conclusion to us.

I-Like-To-Bike

Sounds just like almost every so-called study of bicycling safety bandied about on BF.

fordfasterr

In regards to not wearing a helmet, a friend of mine always says:

no brain, no pain !!!!!!

capejohn

The post peaked my interest. Then I saw John Stossel's name. What a jackass. I don't even consider his opinions. I have found that he forms and opinion first then searches for things that will reinforce them. Weather they are fact or anothers opinion.

I don't wear a helmet very often either.

GCRyder

You really can't tell from the TV report whether it was a good study or not. But the result as reported should come as no surprise, since it's just a variant of something that psychologists and economists have observed in hundreds of different settings. Measures that are perceived to reduce risk invariably produce more risk-taking. I rememeber one economics professor making the point by asking - "How carefully do you suppose people would drive if every car's steering wheel had a razor-sharp spear mounted two inches from the driver's chest?"

!!Comatoa$ted

I did not think Stossel was still on TV for the reasons you speak of.

I rode without a helmet for about 25 years, and just started wearing one a few years ago most of the time. I have not noticed drivers treat me any different with or without a helmet. Most are all right, but it only takes one idiot driver during any ride to make your ride hell. I have noticed cyclist treat me different when I wear a helmet though.

chipcom 

Yet you manage to avoid both AND wear a helmet.

cyccommute 

Most cyclists don't wear helmets to protect themselves from cars. Most of us wear helmets to protect us from the ground. I've biffed 6 or 7 helmets and all of them were due to impacts following a fall. In a collision with a car, the helmet won't usually do much in the primary impact (our heads are usually higher than the car) but it will help in the secondary impact when the cyclist hits the ground.

On a secondary note: If Stossel rides to work as much as he says, why doesn't he raise his saddle! If I rode anywhere with my saddle that low, my knees would kill me He'd also get a whole lot more respect from motorists if he'd ride predictably.

jcm

I agree with cyccommute. A car-whuppin' will trump any helmet.

I used to play alot of football. There's a reason why we wore helmets. Same with hockey, lacrosse, snowboarding, downhill ski-racing, etc, etc... They work most of the time against most of the human powered accidents. I'll take the edge and wear one.

Roughstuff

People still watch 20-20? aren't these the guys who loaded a car trunk up with fuel set off a small explosion in it, then claimed it was an explosion due to 'rear impact?' Who knows or cares...maybe it was sixty minutes, maybe it was some other luddite media fabrication, up there with 'thermite' and the WTC collapse.

roughstuff

I-Like-To-Bike

6 or 7 times? Was that as an adult while riding on the street, or did all these head banging falls occur during competition and vigorous mountain biking? If the former, I suggest a change in your cycling venue, or technique, or both.

closetbiker

I didn't know Stossell was a cycle commuter.

Is the popular sentiment about being "scared stiff" unintentionally hamstringing Americans? Just like in the exodus to the roads in place of flying post 9/11, more americans died due to their fears.

Are Americans unjustly fearful of cycling?

What about the idea that the exercise from riding the bike is what "safe" is?

CB HI

https://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2896180
More Bek BS. When Stossel was in the bike lane there was one other cyclist. When Stossel was on the road without a bike lane there was one other cyclist, although that cyclist was farther behind Stossel. Also notice the bike lane was not clear, as there was a cop car farther back blocking the bike lane.

The only time the clip showed more than 2 cyclist, was a shot of a Central Park road that had been closed to motor traffic for the purpose of weekend recreational cycling.

closetbiker

Anyone actually watch the 2 hour show last night?

Anyone read the books whos authors commented? The Culture of Fear, Freakonomics?

chipcom 

Give Stu a break, he's large like me - sometimes gravity and the laws of phyisics are not our friend.