Bike riders wear helmets and high-vis vests to reduce their vulnerability on the road. Problem is a new study finds this dehumanises cyclists, putting them more at risk of aggression from drivers.
Maybe safety gear makes people look “less human”, but when I’m driving, anything that’s bright orange and/or reflective gets extra attention. Subconsciously, I’ve been trained to recognize those things as hazard warnings. (Clarification: I don’t see bicyclists as a safety hazard, only as people to be aware of and give a wide berth to.) I hope this article doesn’t make anyone think twice about their safety gear.
Maybe safety gear makes people look “less human”, but when I’m driving, anything that’s bright orange and/or reflective gets extra attention. Subconsciously, I’ve been trained to recognize those things as hazard warnings. (Clarification: I don’t see bicyclists as a safety hazard, only as people to be aware of and give a wide berth to.) I hope this article doesn’t make anyone think twice about their safety gear.