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This. You need to look at fatality rate. Note that motorcyclists wear helmet, while car drivers and passengers don't.
Mot states do not require that motorcyclists wear helmets, although most of the population lives in states that do. Given, I don't get out of CA/OR/WA/NV much, all of which require helmets. I've ridden in AZ twice, both times I left my helmet on although I did see a large group of Harleys pull off to remove their helmets.
British Columbia requires bicyclists to wear helmets. The only other places in North America that require adult bicyclists to wear helmets are in Atlantic Canada:
Thankfully, none of them of get hot summers (interior BC gets somewhat hot summers, but it's a dry heat). I dislike helmets heat on hot, especially humid days because it prevents cooling. Fancier helmets are better at not insulating the head.
British Columbia requires bicyclists to wear helmets. The only other places in North America that require adult bicyclists to wear helmets are in Atlantic Canada:
Thankfully, none of them of get hot summers (interior BC gets somewhat hot summers, but it's a dry heat). I dislike helmets heat on hot, especially humid days because it prevents cooling. Fancier helmets are better at not insulating the head.
And interestingly enough, their bike share program is the least successful in North America, presumably because the people who would randomly decide to hop on the bike for a quick trip do not carry helmets in their pockets.
British Columbia requires bicyclists to wear helmets. The only other places in North America that require adult bicyclists to wear helmets are in Atlantic Canada:
There are some local regulations; the Village of South Orange Township, NJ requires bicycle helmets, for instance. Probably many other municipalities do as well. I don't know if any major cities do. I don't wear a helmet when commuting; it's a pain to carry and it's hot.
And interestingly enough, their bike share program is the least successful in North America, presumably because the people who would randomly decide to hop on the bike for a quick trip do not carry helmets in their pockets.
That's quite a leap to that conclusion. Some of them include helmet rentals.
Anyone who thinks helmets are unnecessary has another think coming, to put it diplomatically. I will never back down on that issue.
Well bicycle accidents. On a personal note, I messed up my leg (mostly foot) in a ski accident a few weeks ago. I can't walk well for any long period of time, 10 minutes is ok but not much more. But I can bicycle!
British Columbia requires bicyclists to wear helmets. The only other places in North America that require adult bicyclists to wear helmets are in Atlantic Canada:
Well bicycle accidents. On a personal note, I messed up my leg (mostly foot) in a ski accident a few weeks ago. I can't walk well for any long period of time, 10 minutes is ok but not much more. But I can bicycle!
Helmet laws for adults are pretty rare around the world.
The law is irrelevant. Wear a helmet for your brain. And too bad about these bike programs. Maybe they should rent the helmets too. Riding a bike w/o a helmet is like driving a car w/o a seatbelt.
Steering away from obvious helmet arguments, I think one of the keys to public acceptance of cycling is passive safety.
Modern protected bikeways go a long way to separate cyclists from motor vehicle traffic. This buffer space between the two modes of transport means less chance of conflict between the two, making cycling safer. The buffer effect is also more visually appealing, adding to the appearance of safety. This model falls apart at the traditional intersection, however, where the bikeway empties into traffic, in a "mixed zone". This area increases conflict between cyclists and motor vehicles. Using intersections modeled after Dutch cycleways, a traditional 4 way intersection can be retrofitted into a "protected intersection".
This website simplifies the model, and does a wonderful job explaining how it works. While there is no blanket answer for all intersections, this model creates a safer intersection with much less conflict. The flow of cyclist traffic enters into a roundabout-like system. Crossings for cyclists and pedestrians are even further from motor vehicle traffic, and crossing distances are reduced. The only issue with this model is the radius of right turns. While it is successful at slowing down regular motor vehicle traffic, long vehicles (busses, semis, commercial trucks, motor vehicles towing trailers) will have a more difficult time navigating the right hand turn without clipping the curb. To prevent curb damage, the center islands could instead be comprised of a corrugated surface (think: rough brick) with large reflectors -- visible day and night, providing a visual cue for vhicles to navigate the intersection, while simultaneously creating a surface that can potentially be run over.
Having protected bikeways and protected intersections along major surface street routes through a dense urban center would defeintely boost cycle awareness, and increase capacity / use of cycles. Another factor is cycle parking. Most stores in the US either disregard cycle parking, or have one or two small bars to which people have to chain their bikes. While the responsibility would inevitably land on the business owner / property owner, expanding cycle parking (as well as making it safe, secure, and attractive) would convince more people to cycle. The same could be said for locker / shower facilities in office complexes, but one can only dream.
As for the posters earlier on that say it's too hot in Phoenix: dress for the weather, and carry water! I commute a lot by bike from Mesa (University and Dobson) to Scottsdale (Scottsdale and Thomas) multiple days a week. Most major roads in the Valley have bike lanes (although, they aren't protected). There's also wonderful paths along the numerous canals that line the Valley. Commuting to work, I go straight from my neighborhood street onto the Tempe canal path, then ride down University (dedicated bike lane) to Rural / Scottsdale (again, dedicated bike lane). While I could stay along Scottsdale all the way to Thomas, I prefer to add the extra distance and take the Scottsdale Greenbelt (for those not from Phoenix, it's a very long park that runs the length of Scottsdale. Nice, wide path, lakes, grass, tress. The greenery cools it down a bit during the summer months, making it nicer to bike down. There's also no motor vehicle traffic, making it much safer). Get off Rural after the bridge, and circle around to Tempe Town Lake. The lakeside path cuts in front of Grigio, and heads straight to the Greenbelt. When heading to my friends house in Awatukee (Baseline and 48th), I usually head south on Dobson (dedicated bike lane most of the way), then head west along the Western canal path. This path ends at the park in Tempe, then it's a short ride down Baseline. Alternatively I could cut through Guadalupe, which has much less traffic volume (though some people consider it "ghetto"). Crossing I-10 on Guad has the added benefit of not having to deal with freeway off-/on-ramps.
EDIT: First off, I seriously didn't mean to write a novel. Second, I should add -- I'm a total car nut. I love driving. However, I'm a huge advocate of cycling and public transit. Why? Two reasons. 1) If I take public transit where I need to go, I can do things like read a book or watch a movie while I commute, which is a lot more difficult when driving (it's also much cheaper than burning gas on the 101). 2) If I can convince you lot to get off the road, it means less traffic for me on days I do decide to drive!
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Second, I should add -- I'm a total car nut. I love driving. However, I'm a huge advocate of cycling and public transit. Why? Two reasons. 1) If I take public transit where I need to go, I can do things like read a book or watch a movie while I commute, which is a lot more difficult when driving (it's also much cheaper than burning gas on the 101). 2) If I can convince you lot to get off the road, it means less traffic for me on days I do decide to drive!
