Helmet story

[Jim Wilcox]

Here is a story from Salem.

http://www.kptv.com/video/21539962/index.html

Here is a map:

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=wendy%27s+lancaster+salem+oregon&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&aqi=&oq=wendy%27s+lancaster+salem+oregon&fp=aa7ac5834e645580

Heather was riding north on sidewalk on the Wendy's side. I guess like
the first cyclists in the video.

Jim

[Shane Rhodes]

Sadly, there's not a word about the dangers of riding on the sidewalk in this story or that she was riding against the flow of traffic (heading north while the traffic was moving south- the direction the car was pulling out of the driveway to travel so he was most likely not looking north).   

It looks like there was a bike lane on that busy roadway and I'm sure the sidewalk felt safer but these type of crashes are more common because motorists don't notice cyclists on the sidewalk (especially wrong way riding).  It is one of the most common crashes.  That should have been the lead to me- riding on the sidewalk is dangerous, especially going against traffic, don't do it. 

Also, there isn't a mention of the "Sacred bull in the china shop" or the "Elephant in the room"- the car.  She had to "hit her brakes to try and avoid the car".... did the motorist pull onto the sidewalk without looking for pedestrians (or in this case a cyclist)?  Was the motorist cited? Why does the helmet get the lead and not the questionable behavior of the person driving the car?

It's also interesting that the police state "the helmet saved her life".... maybe it did but can that really be stated as a fact?  They may think it did and it's very likely that it could have but something like "the helmet may have saved her life" is very different.  Maybe they should start recommending all motorists start wearing helmets too since those would surely save a lot of motorists lives.

Culture shift is no easy task.   Now let's go ride.

Shane

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[Paul Adkins]

This scenario, where the rider is on the sidewalk traveling opposite the expected car traffic is one of the most common crashes and something that we discuss at length in the GEARs Traffic Skills classes. I'm so glad that this crash has a good ending, but I fear more people, seeing the video and riding the wrong way without lights, will put themselves at a greater risk of not being seen by motor vehicle drivers.

Why do you think the news team shows riders riding illegally and does not mention that this is unsafe behavior? It is a great opportunity to let people realize that: riding the wrong way is illegal, riding without lights at dark is illegal, and riding on the sidewalk can be very dangerous.

I wish they would have interviewed Doug Parrow of the BTA in Salem. We should pull together a meeting with the Eugene Media, and ask these questions and see how we can help if this kind of things happens here. We really need to get the media on our side on these kinds of things. This is probably something the Eye to Eye campaign should be working on.

Paul Adkins
 

[Stephan Nance]

Maybe I'm really ignorant... But as someone who rides in the bike lanes, and only in the correct direction, I'm wondering: What are the cons to wearing a helmet? I've always categorically refused to ride without a helmet. Is this stupid of me?

-Stephan

[Jim Wilcox]

Having worked in media, I can say that the reporters would not consider other issues (such riding the wrong way) in this piece. Even though viewers could benefit from such education, Fox would not risk loosing viewers who are fickle and easily change channels. 

The story was in the R-G. Same deal. 

It may be that the general population is not that interested in cycling issues like we are. 

Jim Wilcox

(541) 543 5986

Sent from my bike

[Shane Rhodes]

It's not stupid, it's your choice (unless you under 16).

The pros outweigh the cons for me, which is why I wear a helmet 90% of the time. 

The cons I hear are usually helmet hair, inconveniance, style (especially the middle schoolers I work with), what to do with hair (especially afros, bunches of dreads, and people with 'big' hair), one more thing to lose/lock/carry, a false sense of security (some say they ride more thoughtfully when they don't wear one), and then idealstic reasons.  One study showed motorists pass closer to helmeted cyclists.

Helmets are a good piece of safety equipment but it's the last piece of the four tiers of safety- 

Don't cause crashes (ride legally, safe & smart).

Deter crashes with road positioning.

Escape crashes by riding defensively. 

THEN

Survive crashes with safety equipment.

The majority of crashes would be prevented by doing the first three... Like this one in Salem.

Shane   

On Nov 8, 2009, at 10:39 AM, Stephan Nance <sna...@uoregon.edu> wrote: