Study finds cyclists wearing helmets perceived as ‘less human’ than those who don’t
Australian researchers provided startling data
Some recent research from has revealed a concerning phenomenon where a significant portion of the population fails to perceive cyclists fully as human beings. The study, carried out by Mark Limb from Queensland University of Technology and Sarah Collyer from Flinders University, sheds light on the dehumanizing perceptions surrounding cyclists, particularly those who wear helmets or safety vests.
Published in Volume 95 of Transportation Research (with the sub-headling of “Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour,” which sounds like a real page turner) the research wanted to address the cynical views toward riders that impede efforts to promote cycling. To achieve this end, the survey collected the views of 563 people about cyclists and looked to provide evidence to explain the underlying causes of these dehumanizing perceptions.
Out of the 563 participants surveyed, 30 per cent viewed cyclists as “less than fully human,” the study claimed. The researchers specifically investigated wearing helmets and other safety attire that might influence the perception of cyclists.
“We tested this hypothesis through a survey that was comprised of two-paired alternate forced choice questions to identify which image of a cyclist respondents consider to be less human,” the study began.
The study found that cyclists wearing helmets were perceived as less human in comparison to those without helmets, whereas cyclists wearing safety vests without helmets were perceived as the least human. Also, the research stated that cyclists wearing simply a hat were viewed as more human than those wearing a full helmet.
“Our findings add to this growing research, suggesting that cyclists wearing safety attire, particularly high-visibility vests, may be dehumanized more so than cyclists without safety attire,” the researchers stated.
