Strange but True: Helmets Attract Cars to Cyclists. (motorcycle, tires, drivers)

[JD59]

Although you might not want to leave your protective gear at home, just know that if you do, drivers will be a lot more scared of hitting you.

Spring is in full swing now, and a number of the straphangers (read: subway riders) in New York City, as well as citizens in other locales, are getting new tubes and tires and dragging their bikes out of storage. Bicycle riding is the skill you reportedly never forget, but there's a raging debate about whether or not you should forget your helmet when you hop on your two-wheeler.

Strange but True: Helmets Attract Cars to Cyclists: Scientific American

[Magnulus]

It is trendy with a certain set in Europe and ANZAC countries to bash helmets, especially on bicycles. The US isn't the only country that has "helmet deniers". Though in the UK or much of Europe for instance wearing a helmet on a motorcycle is mandatory (and it has to be either a jet helmet / 3/4 type or full helmet), for bicycling it is optional and there is often a perception that it is not necessary.

Riding 3 incheas closer to a helmeted cyclist is probably not that significant- I smell an agenda on the part of the researcher. As for helmets lack of effectiveness, it's just BS.