> studies have found that drivers leave less distance when they see a cyclist wearing a helmet
I don't think that's what those studies have found.
First of all the results are disputed and also this can work both ways — as specified in the link you provided, it could be that cyclists wearing a helmet could take more risks than those without a helmet.
And in England you might have motorists leaving more or less distance, depending on whether the cyclist wears a helmet, but I'm pretty sure this is a cultural thing.
In my city car drivers don't give a shit about cyclists. So for example on a narrow street drivers will pass cyclists within only a few centimeters, no matter if you wear a helmet or not. So experimented cyclists actually ride their bike in the middle of the road, to prevent overtaking by cars. Decent road speed is required, or otherwise you get horns and swear words, but it's the safest way to go.
But yes, this is an anecdote, I don't have a reference I could link to.
I don't think that's what those studies have found.
First of all the results are disputed and also this can work both ways — as specified in the link you provided, it could be that cyclists wearing a helmet could take more risks than those without a helmet.
And in England you might have motorists leaving more or less distance, depending on whether the cyclist wears a helmet, but I'm pretty sure this is a cultural thing.
In my city car drivers don't give a shit about cyclists. So for example on a narrow street drivers will pass cyclists within only a few centimeters, no matter if you wear a helmet or not. So experimented cyclists actually ride their bike in the middle of the road, to prevent overtaking by cars. Decent road speed is required, or otherwise you get horns and swear words, but it's the safest way to go.
But yes, this is an anecdote, I don't have a reference I could link to.