Safety in numbers

Cycling is safest in places where there are more cyclists. An increase in the number of cyclists does not result in more injuries, but fewer, because cars become more aware of bikes and drive more carefully. The best way to make cycling safer is to promote bike use.
This is independent of infrastructure. More cycle paths may improve the quality of the cycling experience, but attitudes are the main factor in safety. Cyclists must be perceived to have a presence and rights on the roads.
Cycling is not dangerous
Policies which create the impression that bikes are dangerous discourage cycling and reduce the number of bikes on the roads, thereby increasing the danger from cars. Compulsory helmet wearing implies that cycling is dangerous, whereas it is the motor vehicles that cause head injuries to other road users. Cars continue to be fitted with impact devices such as roo-bars (bull-bars) designed to injure pedestrians and cyclists but protect the vehicles. The victims are advised or required to wear helmets.
Obligatory helmet wearing is a danger to cyclists. It gets bikes off the roads. When helmet laws were introduced in Western Australia, bike use fell by 30%, but head injury rates decreased by 13% so the risk of injury per cyclist increased.

Going out
In bicycle-friendly places, urban citizens dress up and go out on bikes to entertainment events such as opera or theatre, often in formal clothing and hats. People go out on bikes without having to wear special protective ‘armour’ to fend off the danger from less responsible road users. If legislation prohibits this, the number of cyclists drops as it has in Australia. Only ‘serious cyclists’ are seen, sporty types, dressed in tight plastic sausage-like skins, and going fast like a wannabe car. Cycling is predominantly racing, independent of other purposes like shopping or going out. Leisurely cycling is unknown.
Images: Konstanz de