Are cyclists more willing to take risks if they're wearing helmets? Scientists at the University of Bath certainly seem to think so. “This could mean that people using protective equipment might take risks against which that protective equipment cannot reasonably be expected to help,” said one researcher.
By Brian Canty
A new research study by the University of Bath in the UK has found that wearing a helmet could actually make you more inclined to engage in reckless cycling behaviour.
The study showed that greater risks are likely to be taken by those with protective headgear as opposed to those without.
The research findings come a week after we brought you a story about Peter Dobson of Howth CC whose life was saved by the fact he was wearing a helmet when he crashed commuting to work some weeks back.
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However, using sensation-seeking behaviour, scientists analysed risk-taking in adults aged 17-56 using a computer-based simulation.
Split into two groups – one wearing bicycle helmets and the other baseball caps – the participants were instructed to inflate an onscreen balloon.
Test subjects were given more points for each inflation, but would lose all their “earnings” if the balloon popped.
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The results showed the group wearing helmets were more inclined to take risks and inflate the balloon the most.
Dr Ian Walker and Dr Tim Gamble said their study called into question the effectiveness of certain safety advice – including using helmets for various leisure activities such as cycling.
Dr Walker said: “This could mean that people using protective equipment might take risks against which that protective equipment cannot reasonably be expected to help.”
He added: “Several studies in the past have looked at so-called ‘risk compensation’, suggesting that people might drive differently when wearing seatbelts, or make more aggressive American football tackles when wearing helmets.
“But in all those cases, the safety device and the activity were directly linked – there’s a certain logic to sports people being more aggressive when wearing equipment that is specifically intended to make their sport safer.
“This is the first suggestion that a safety device might make people take risks in a totally different domain.”
Dr Gamble said: “This is not to say that people shouldn’t wear safety equipment, but rather to say that the whole topic is far more complicated than most people think.”
“We need to be mindful of the unintended consequences which might exist and not just apply ‘common sense’ when it comes to addressing safety concerns.”
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