A 2006 research study from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom shows that there may be some risks to cyclists riding with a helmet, which sounds counterintuitive. Dr. Ian Walker gathered data using a bicycle modified with a computer and an ultrasonic sensor to measure the distance of 2,500 motor vehicles attempting to pass the bicycle on a road. Dr. Walker tested the distance of cars attempting to pass a cyclist wearing a helmet as opposed to cyclist not wearing a helmet. On average, cyclists pass a motorist wearing a helmet almost 4 inches closer on average than helmetless riders. “This study shows that when drivers overtake a cyclist, the margin for error they leave is affected by the cyclist’s appearance,” said Dr. Walker, according to press release from the University of Bath. “By leaving the cyclist less room, drivers reduce the safety margin that cyclists need to…
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