EVU XXIV 2015-15 Examination of the impact of using a helmet while cycling on compensation of risks by overtaking vehicle drivers

Examination of the impact of using a
helmet while cycling on compensation of
risks by overtaking vehicle drivers
Dennis Ramón Lahmer
Markus Winninghoff
Hansjörg Leser

Abstract

In recent years the subject of whether helmets improve or worsen the safety while cycling
has been frequently discussed. On the basis of field studies it has been postulated that
using a helmet often leads to reduced passing distances, a compensation of risk. Most
often cited in this context is a paper by Dr. Ian Walker of the University of Bath published in
June 2006.
The Unfallanalyse Berlin GbR developed a similar but slightly changed setup, which led to
the collected data of 1049 overtaking events in the metropolitan area of Berlin. While the
test setup was similar, the results differed significantly. The target of this paper is to show
some of the parameters, which can lead to close passing distances.
For this field study a bicycle was equipped with a laser sensor to measure the passing
distance of overtaking vehicles. Furthermore two cameras were installed, a full-HD camera
directed crossways to the road, recording the overtaking event, and a wide-angle camera
to the front to record the ending of the overtaking manoeuvre and to measure the distance
of the cyclist to the road’s edge. Afterwards, the recorded data were implemented in the
videos and the evaluated data of the videos entered into a database.

The results were divided into three major parts. The first part was the general distinction in
passing distances depending on helmet usage. Second was the influence of road
parameters. The third part covered environmental influences like wet or damp roads,
lighting conditions and time of day. Differences between helmet usage varied only by a
small amount, with slightly higher clearances when riding with a helmet. The cyclists
increasing distance to the road’s edge lead to a higher passing distance while wearing a
helmet.

La lettura di questo articolo è riservata ai soli Soci EVU Italia

Autore	Dennis Ramón Lahmer - Markus Winninghoff - Hansjörg Leser
Pubblicato il
Tipologia