[Retra]

This is pretty dumb and naive, and loaded with non-sequiturs and other obvious fallacies. Like this gem:

>"Many more motorists and pedestrians die in traffic collisions per year than do bicyclists. We don’t see them wearing helmets."

Hey. Maybe if they did wear helmets, fewer of them would die. Ever think of that?

[musesum]

Here are the stats: http://streets.mn/2014/07/01/bicycling-relative-safe/

TLDR: 5x more dangerous in car than bikes per billion km. Less dangerous in countries with more bikes per capita, despite fewer helmets.

So, I agree with OP's point that perhaps cyclists are being over regulated. I bet that there is a high correlation between type of bike and deaths. Perhaps we should be all required to ride one of these: http://www.denmanbikeshop.com/thebikeshopblog/wp-content/upl... Fewer deaths would ensue.

[panglott]

The logic is clear, but whenever I suggest that drivers and pedestrians actually wear the helmets, somehow I get downvoted for trolling ;)

[binxbolling]

Author should also clarify that they're referring to a very, very specific type of riding—commuter and/or casual biking in good weather (sort of mentions this last part).

The most interesting quasi-claim is buried: helmets protect your head, but cause more damage to your neck. That's an empirical claim that I doubt, but at least it's better than "I don't think I look good in a helmet."

[kolektiv]

Yes, madness. Given expected likelihood/severity of potential accidents, one seems more worthwhile than the other. In situations where the risks are raised for some reason, you will find that people do wear helmets. I will never, for example, do 100mph in a kart without a helmet (plus various other safety additions).

[panglott]

How is a 10 mph bike ride around the block even remotely comparable to karting at 100-mph?

[kolektiv]

I'm not saying they're the same thing - I'm pointing out that as risk increases, you add safety features. Drivers in certain situations (racing, for example) do wear helmets, as the risk is now judged to be sufficient. A 10mph ride around the block may well be safe - but the 10mph part isn't so relevant - it's the idiot in a car doing 60mph who doesn't look for cyclists that is probably the significant part of the risk. So...

[panglott]

A bike helmet is not designed to protect your head if you are hit by a car at 60 mph.

The best way to protect yourself for the 60-mph-auto-collision is to not get hit by a car at 60 mph.