Wearing helmets 'more dangerous'

Cyclists who wear protective helmets are more likely to be knocked down by passing vehicles, new research from Bath University suggests.
The study found drivers tend to pass closer when overtaking cyclists wearing helmets than those who are bare-headed.
Dr Ian Walker was struck by a bus and a lorry during the experiment. He was wearing a helmet both times.
But the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said tests have shown helmets protect against injuries.
To carry out the research, Dr Walker used a bike fitted with a computer and an ultrasonic distance sensor to find drivers were twice as likely to get close to the bicycle, at an average of 8.5cm, when he wore a helmet.
The experiment, which recorded 2,500 overtaking motorists in Salisbury and Bristol, was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Dr Walker, a traffic psychologist from the University's Department of Psychology, said: "This study shows that when drivers overtake a cyclist, the margin for error they leave is affected by the cyclist's appearance.

This study suggests wearing a helmet might make a collision more likely
Dr Ian Walker
"By leaving the cyclist less room, drivers reduce the safety margin that cyclists need to deal with obstacles in the road, such as drain covers and potholes, as well as the margin for error in their own judgements.
"We know helmets are useful in low-speed falls, and so definitely good for children, but whether they offer any real protection to somebody struck by a car is very controversial.
"Either way, this study suggests wearing a helmet might make a collision more likely in the first place," he added.
Dr Walker thinks the reason drivers give less room to cyclists wearing helmets is because they see them as "Lycra-clad street warriors" and believe they are more predictable than those without.
He suggests different types of road users need to understand each other.
"Most adult cyclists know what it is like to drive a car, but relatively few motorists ride bicycles in traffic, and so don't know the issues cyclists face.
"There should definitely be more information on the needs of other road users when people learn to drive and practical experience would be even better."

this is all very interesting...now i have never done any research into this idea myself but my own personal observations mirror what this fellow has observed. i have noticed exactly the same thing occasionally when riding sans casque.

what about you?

well -

i feel the need to type something here today but am unsure as to what to write. how about this - i have had an incredible week filled with crazy highs, frustrating lows and incredible surprises. i feel like i am am on the verge of something(s) really big and i cannot wait to see what happens in the near future.

i am beginning to believe again that if you know yourself, trust your instincts, and ask the universe for your dreams - you can manifest whatever your heart desires.

holiday cheer

hey all - have a look at this -link- its pretty cool and hopefully will start to get you thinking about the holiday season which is approaching fast.

happy eggnog

ok - so i have found what i want for christmas, just hoping someone can tell me where i can pick one up.

this is an "adult content" warning for those of you that are easily offended.

just in case you were thinking we were in for a winter like last year - i give you this:

Tired of the Heat? Hang on – 2007 Canadian Farmers’ Almanac Predicts “SHIVERY IS NOT DEAD”Lewiston, ME: After a hot summer in most of Canada, cool news is on the way. The new edition of the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac, which blows into town every year around the end of August, contains some chilly predictions for the upcoming winter."Shivery is not dead" reveals the 2007 Canadian Farmers’ Almanac, alluding to its winter weather forecast. “While global warming has taken up much of our attention (as well as news coverage), our winter predictions are pointing towards widespread cold condition, especially for the western sections of the country,” shares Peter Geiger, Philom., Editor. Geiger continues, “After last year’s unusual warmth, this chill might make winter harder than usual.”The 2007 Canadian Farmers’ Almanac, released August 28, 2006, predicts frigidly cold weather for Alberta, Saskatchewan, as well as for parts of Manitoba and eastern British Columbia, “where temperatures could average as much as 10°C. below seasonal normals, or nearly 20°C. colder than last winter.” As for snow, the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac predicts the Rockies could see above normal snowfall this upcoming winter.The Farmers’ Almanac, which has been providing long-range weather predictions every year since 1818, bases its forecasts on a top secret mathematical and astronomical formula. Many who follow its predictions say they are 80 to 85% accurate.If you don’t like the shivery forecast, hang on. The 2007 Canadian Farmers’ Almanac, which includes 16 months (September 2006 through December 2007) of zoned weather predictions, is also calling for a very warm and dry summer for most areas of the country.

well - i think we all were hoping for a repeat of last winter's warm conditions and minimal snowfall but it looks as though we are in for the opposite. it will be good for lots of reasons - good skiing, more reason to stay inside and cuddle in front of the fire with that special someone, dead pine beetles (die!die!), and great anticipation for the warm weather to come.

on a happier note - something that caught my eye on the news services...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Two peace activists have planned a massive anti-war demonstration for the first day of winter.

But they don't want marching in the streets. They'd much rather protesters just stay home.

The Global Orgasm for Peace was conceived by Donna Sheehan, 76, and Paul Reffell, 55, whose goal is for everyone in the world to have an orgasm Dec. 22 while focusing on world peace.
"The orgasm gives out an incredible feeling of peace during it and after it," Reffell said Sunday.

"Your mind is like a blank. It's like a meditative state."

"And mass meditations have been shown to make a change."

well - - - now i have not seen an idea as good as that in a long time! i was planning on having a solstice party here - this could be the angle i was looking for to make it a great party.

- out.

Brian Kullman Memorial Ride

Calling all ABA riders in Edmonton, Calgary and surrounding area. This Sunday November 19th, since the weather looks to co-operate, we will be hosting a memorial ride for Brian Kullman. I'm sure all of you have received the previous email from Andy and understand this tragic loss. We will be meeting at Cadence Café in Bowness(6407 Bowness Rd) at 12pm and leaving at 12:30pm. We will ride from Cadence to Brian's home in Inglewood where we will have a short remembrance service. The route we will ride(for the late people) will be Bowness Road to Memorial Drive. Memorial to the Z00 Rd NE(zoo bridge) and then east on 9th Ave. We will be contacting the media about this ride so that the public can see how much he had touched the cycling community. We will also be encouraging recreational riders to join us. Please come out and show your support.

This is a shot from the top of Kitt Peak in Arizona of all of us that were there in april. it was an honour to ride with all of you there - and - i know its a little late but i am sorry i was so grumpy towards you during my time there bk - i just wish i could have said that to you before you were taken.

brian kullman's killer has been arrested!

check this for the info.

hopefully this will be the first step in helping those who were closest to bk move on with their lives and begin the grieving process.

well done Calgary Police and RCMP!

oh BK - where are you?

all of this is a little bit much to take.

there is not much i can add to that press release - other than to perhaps hope and pray that this nightmare is just that -

unreal -

fleeting -

eventually realized as just a dream.

oh BK - are you safe?

- - UPDATE - -

it seems that the police have identified the body found in K-Country as Brian's. what a tragedy.

r.i.p. bk

bk - i hope that there are endless, twisting country roads, brilliant coffee shops, and beautiful views where you are now.

godspeed to you

yo

i will be participating in my first running "race" tonite in banff and i am not really excited about it. i had good intentions a few months ago when i signed up - but - since then i have gone "training" for the event exactly 3 times. the last time a ran was a month ago for 20 minutes. since then i have not run at all and have been on one hike and one mtb ride. it has been very difficult to get myself to do anything besides work, raise my kid, and work some more - and occasionally drink too much with my friends - you know who you are!

there are exactly three things i am looking forward to tonite. 1 - having someone to run with who has not trained either (thx allison). 2 - the free beers, food and party to follow. 3 - hopefully the sky will be clear and we will be running under the fullmoon tonite.

wish me luck.

anyone have a good physiotherapist they can recommend?

UPDATE

so all went well. the temperature was cool but nice, there was a little bit of cloud in the sky but the fullmoon was able to illuminate our efforts some none the less. allison and i trotted out the distance and it was over a little quicker than i expected. all in all i felt great - however - my legs are killing me right now - as expected! we consumed our obligatory 2 free beers and hightailed it out of there before the "chill" could get us - back to the chalet for some of julie's famous lasagna, vino, and good times. i am in for next year for sure as it was a great time.




...out.