Free Style Cyclists Seeking to reform the State and Territory Mandatory Helmet Laws.
http://www.freestylecyclists.org
Is a new initiative by a group of people seeking to reform the State and Territory Mandatory Helmet Laws. The first priority is to gain an immediate helmet exemption for the Melbourne and Brisbane Bike share schemes. Freestyle Cyclists campaign to repeal bicycle helmet laws, to allow cycling in Australia to flourish.
I hope some people will support this cause - doing so will help restore the bicycle to it's rightful place as practical means of transport for many more people.
If you are only a sports cyclists you should also support this even though you may typically wear a helmet yourself.
WHY ?
Encouraging other people to cycle who would not otherwise ride will help make YOU and ME and other people including pedestrians,cyclists and motorists safer.
HOW ?
1. Car drivers who have riding experience may be more aware of other bike riders and how they behave on the roads.
2. There will be less traffic to contend with if more journeys are by bike - that means less exhaust fumes for all road users and nearby people and it reduces audible noise and pollution, and leaves more parking space for people who do need to drive and park.
3. Larger volumes of bike riders mean motorists even ones who don't ride actually become more aware of bike users and less likely to hit them.
4. More bike journeys and less car journeys may reduce risk to pedestrians from motor traffic.
5. If the law is repealed the bike share schemes will actually get used so they can continue to exist may expand and do not become a white elephant to be shut down the moment the council funds run out. Next time you visit these cities you and other tourists can actually use the bikes without having to buy or find a helmet which you may only use for 15 minute ride then have to dispose of. !.
I limit myself to these 5 points for now. :-)
Don't forget we have a helmetless riders forum with similar aims on adelaide cyclists so you can also show support by joining that group too.
http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/group/helmetlessriders
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gillian on
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Point 1 concerns me somewhat. People who ride while driving their car really ought to wear some serious protection.
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Awww, play ball. You went and changed the wording. A "thank you" would have been nice :)
Advise caution if you seek to make law reforms with written submissions.
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Permalink Reply by greg looyestyn on
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Sometimes I let my dog drive the car, I know she doesn't have a licence but she is very careful and we don't go too fast. The hardest part is all of the stopping and starting when we come up to a tree or lamp post and she gets out to do a wee.
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
Just because introducing helmet law 20 odd years ago reduced the number if cyclists.
Where is the proof getting rid of helmet laws will suddenly get people out of the cars and off the couch and on bikes?
Just because people believe it doesn't make it true.
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Permalink Reply by Lucas Pittaway on -
When I bought my first bike I rode 60k's to break it in, copped a fine for the lack of a helmet and put the bike away for five months. If I was allowed to ride helmetless I would have discovered the joys of riding earlier.
I wonder how many people don't pick up the bike again.
Also:
Every now and then when my whole family want to go for rides we are forced to leave a few people behind due to the absence of helmets. Not the most exciting thing for them.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on -
Every now and then when my whole family want to go for rides we are forced to leave a few people behind due to the absence of helmets. Not the most exciting thing for them.
Right. So the idea of buying more helmets (hint: one helmet for each person each would be good) never crossed your mind ?
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on
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Obviously not ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Lucas Pittaway on
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I currently have six helmets, considering my family ride with me once every few months it's not reason enough to buy even more helmets. We're only going for slow cruises around the local area and along the riverside trail, nothing extreme.
If my use of a helmet is not working correctly surely I can just proceed with caution?
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on
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I currently have six helmets, considering my family ride with me once every few months it's not reason enough to buy even more helmets. We're only going for slow cruises around the local area and along the riverside trail, nothing extreme.
This is like saying "very rarely my family and friends all like to come out with me for a drive, it isn't worthwhile my buying a bigger car so, just very occasionally, I am going to drive with five people in the back seat. It's only down to the local shops and I won't go very fast." Probably you are right it's perfectly safe but it's still illegal.
If my use of a helmet is not working correctly surely I can just proceed with caution?
I don't think that line works in this situation :-) Bit like saying you got in your car and found the brake lights and indicator lights where not working so you drove of carefully. That's not going to convince the police is it ?
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Permalink Reply by stephen on -
Hi Murray
The problem is you need more than just a few and you have to store them.
Typically you need 3 sizes small , medium or large and if children are involved you need even more sizes to ensure all can get the correct fit - anyone who has bought a helmet would know that wearing one of the wrong size is not comfortable and is also not legal according to the word of the law.
Helmets are quite bulky - try to fit one in a travel case or back pack and it takes allot of room - in a backpack it leaves little room for anything else.
Another storage issue they are made of foam which can degrade over time and they can become homes for spiders if stored outdoors or in a shed.And some people just may have issues with sharing clothing which has been in direct skin contact with someone else - the fungus which causes dandruff for example can spread this way.
I think it really not necessary for what it;s worth to have this law - yes perhaps recommended just as we recommend sunscreen and shirt in the sun or tying your shoe laces but a law no we would do better without.
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