Remember kids... always wear a helmet. (The almighty bikeradar helmet thread)

No it's not[URL="http://www.drianwalker.com/overtaking/"][/URL]

Yes it is, most of the time cars pass so quickly they're not going to notice your gender, especially from the back.

Yes it is, most of the time cars pass so quickly they're not going to notice your gender, especially from the back.

Are you trying to tell me they're not female?;

Shit man, I've been giving them a lots of space when I drive, thank for pointing out that small error, I'll never forgive myself for that, for a schoolboy you're full of wisdom Ben!

Are you trying to tell me they're not female?;
...

That is not what he said.

There is another argument (which I don't subscribe to because I look like a weirdo anyway) which goes like this:

More people looking normal and less like weirdy cyclists (i.e. lycra clad and helmeted/high-viz jacket and helmeted - because most people who wear helmets are either wearing lycra or high-viz) = more non-cyclists start cycling because they think 'hey I don't have to look like a weirdo cyclist' = more cyclists on the roads = drivers more used to cyclists + less drivers = safer roads for all. Hurrah!

I'm definitely aware of (the concept of) the dehumanising effect of helmet use, but wonder if it's outweighed by the dehumanising effect of riding a bike, in the current UK sociological climate.

Maybe someone on here who was a motorcyclist before and after helmet use became compulsory could shed some light on whether they feel other road users have become less sympathetic since the change...

Are you trying to tell me they're not female?;

Shit man, I've been giving them a lots of space when I drive, thank for pointing out that small error, I'll never forgive myself for that, for a schoolboy you're full of wisdom Ben!

Does Beth Ditto ride a bike eh Ed?? well does she? Do you expect all women to be leggy blonde and sexy on bikes.... you disgust me!

I'm definitely aware of (the concept of) the dehumanising effect of helmet use, but wonder if it's outweighed by the dehumanising effect of riding a bike, in the current UK sociological climate.

I know of these dehumanising helmets you speak of in todays sociological climate, they look like this

Are you trying to tell me they're not female?;

Another fine post ed, but you've missed my point.

Is it obvious to you that the commuter in the foreground is a female cyclist?

If it is, well done, but how obvious do you think it is for the buses overtaking from behind?

But no your right, the two women in your picture with shopping bags and long hair clearly makes your point.

Tommy gets it, it is one big propaganda started by god to kill us humans with head related cycle incidents and replace us with sandal wearing robot.

it's that or i blatantly failed to read this thread and spent half and hour looking at the work of Helmut Newton, due to a spelling error in google.

No it's not

So girls.. when you ride home tonight, don't worry about the traffic. Every single car is going to give you a wide berth. Edscoble said so.

Making assumptions based on these sorts of surveys is naive.

and +1 to what winston said "setting off on your bike believing your helmet makes you safer is a very dangerous mindset to be in".

Setting off thinking cars are going to give you a wider berth because you are/aren't wearing a helmet / or what sex you are is a very dangerous mindset to be in.

Safe riding peeps.

Another fine post ed, but you've missed my point.

4, 2, 3 and 1 in that order

© Tynan

Not all girls look like girls from behind. :/

BTW what's with all the school boy references after every post? Are you some fucking peodo trying to groom me?

I'm in my twenties you little pervert.

So girls.. when you ride home tonight, don't worry about the traffic. Every single car is going to give you a wide berth. Edscoble said so.

Making assumptions based on these sorts of surveys is naive.

and +1 to what winston said "setting off on your bike believing your helmet makes you safer is a very dangerous mindset to be in".

Setting off thinking cars are going to give you a wider berth because you are/aren't wearing a helmet / or what sex you are is a very dangerous mindset to be in.

Safe riding peeps.

The reason I responded to your post in a mildly pissed off way is because it's pretty stupid to assume, as you say, that I am claiming that ALL cars are going to give me a wide berth because I am not wearing a helmet. It is one reasoned reason of many that contribute to my reasoned decision to not wear a helmet. I have spent more hours than I care to think about researching the subject of cycle helmets and road traffic accidents, I am not being naive.

Another fine post ed, but you've missed my point.
Is it obvious to you that the commuter in the foreground is a female cyclist?

If it is, well done, but how obvious do you think it is for the buses overtaking from behind?

But no your right, the two women in your picture with shopping bags and long hair clearly makes your point.

Of course you can't tell they're female, because of the amount of equipment they're wearing, that is my point, you'd notice if it is a female if she's not wearing a helmet and/or let her hair down.

So girls.. when you ride home tonight, don't worry about the traffic. Every single car is going to give you a wide berth. Edscoble said so.

Making assumptions based on these sorts of surveys is naive.

I never assumed that, obviously you shouldn't assumed that every car will give you a wide berth, it's just an interesting study about helmets/nodder usage, it also did make a difference.

Like me with my messenger bag that have "DEAF" written in bold helvetica, it make a difference as vehicle now give me a wider berth, However I don't rely on my bag for my safety, I'll still ride with caution as if I'm not wearing that bag, it's nicer to have more vehicle not passing me with inches to spare as frequency as before.

Of course you can't tell they're female, because of the amount of equipment they're wearing, that is my point, you'd notice if it is a female if she's not wearing a helmet and/or let her hair down.

Even if she wasn't wearing a helmet, how exactly would you assume someone's female front of you, say for example hasn't got long hair, short cut, and isn't wearing typical girl clothes?

I really want that bag mind you.

Like me with my messenger bag that have "DEAF" written in bold helvetica, it make a difference as vehicle now give me a wider berth;

.

Helicopters maybe?

The reason they give you a wide berth is because they're worried you'll ask them to take a pic of your bike.

Even if she wasn't wearing a helmet, how exactly would you assume someone's female front of you, say for example hasn't got long hair, short cut, and isn't wearing typical girl clothes?

what if Caster Semenya was riding her bike... what the fuck happens then eh???

Not all girls look like girls from behind. :/

Beth Ditto doesn't look like a girl from the front either or even from the side.

I really want that bag mind you.

aren't you getting one with "DUMB"

;)

The reason I responded to your post in a mildly pissed off way is because it's pretty stupid to assume, as you say, that I am claiming that ALL cars are going to give me a wide berth because I am not wearing a helmet. It is one reasoned reason of many that contribute to my reasoned decision to not wear a helmet. I have spent more hours than I care to think about researching the subject of cycle helmets and road traffic accidents, I am not being naive.

Tricitybendix: agree - and that is why I never quoted your name in the initial post - It was more taking what you had written, and then warned any female who may be reading.

Edscoble: you clearly said 'no, its not!'

Not all girls look like girls from behind. :/

Not all men look like men from behind either. Ask Oliver. :P

After seeing my mate get totalled by a numpty pedestrian stepping out on him today (ironically whilst walking into work like a wheezing mess due to a chest infection), i'm getting a helmet just so I can headbutt the fuckers if it happens to me.

i'm getting a helmet just so I can headbutt the fuckers if it happens to me.

ha haa!

Edscoble: you clearly said 'no, its not!'

Yes I did says that, I meant in regarding to the notion that drivers give more space to female cyclists (noticable one mind), not the assumption part, my fault!