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@Manwithbicycle
In this tragic story here, a driver gets 18 months jail for hitting and killing a cyclist because she wasn't looking at the road but adjusting her satnav.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2408785/Cyclist-death-Mother-jailed-18-months-killing-bike-rider-attempted-adjust-sat-nav-driving-50mph.html
In the comments on the normally caustic website there is much sympathy for the cyclist, with anti-cycling comments being heavily voted down.
Could part of that reason be because the cyclist is pictured wearing a helmet, thus making him a "responsible" cyclist, even though a helmet didn't do him any good in this situation? He is reported to have died from head and chest injuries.
The perception being, rightly or wrongly, that he took at least some responsibility for his health and safety by wearing a helmet. And that those who don't are obviously more reckless.
I'm not saying this is a reason to wear a helmet, of course not. I'm just wondering if he would have received as much sympathy from readers if the picture had shown him on his bike without a helmet. Btw, the story doesn't say if he was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. But the picture implies he likely would have been.