Hey ! Where are your helmets !!! ( Berlin,Germany )
This issue evokes strong feelings and is a ‘political hot potato' that neither cycle advocates nor Government are willing to address.
It is however, an impediment that is dissuading many potential cyclists from taking up what should otherwise be
the ‘mode of choice’ in our cities .
I AM advocating that the law which compels all cyclists to wear helmets
at all times, be rescinded to make it discretionary on the rider.
It is absolutely essential for the Ministry of Transport to address this issue if they are serious about achieving the
goal of increasing the numbers cycling in our urban areas ( 'to 30% by 2040 )
Funding
must be allocated for further research to be done on this issue to
focus on the experience of the Europeans and to highlight the benefits
of getting people out of their cars.
" As a candidate for the Health Board I am concerned that not wearing helmets would undo all the good work in reducing head injuries in cyclists, especially in children."
I am not advocating for the abolition of bicycle helmets.
I am advocating that the law which compels cyclists to wear them be rescinded to make it discretionary on the rider as to whether they do or not,-in order that all impediments that would dissuade people from taking up cycling be removed.
A compromise could be to
maintain the compulsion to wear helmets up to say 16 years to ensure
the development of a culture that accepts them,-while not dissuading
those adults who do not from taking up cycling.
It seems that there has been an assumption that cyclists lack the common sense to look after themselves while they're riding so legislation is needed to protect them from worst case scenarios.
I can't understand the logic of legislating to compel cyclists to wear helmets for their safety and then compelling them to ride on our narrow crowded roads between parked and moving motor vehicles that are moving much greater speeds.
"As there are more racing cycles and mountain bikes here, they are more likely to travel faster."
As I mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, we really only have 'vehicular' and 'recreational ' cyclists in New Zealand because our legislators, cycling advocates and the bicycle retail industry are not (in effect) aware of the needs of the 'would be' slow cyclists.
Road racers and mountain bikers are aware of the dangers they are exposed and expose themselves to and will most likely accordingly chose to wear helmets.
What are the rules for wearing cycle helmets?
It's compulsory for all cyclists on New Zealand roads to wear cycle helmets. Your cycle helmet must:
- meet an approved standard (see below)
- be securely fastened.
Check that your helmet is the right size - it should fit snugly on your head with a minimum use of pads. It's not a good idea to buy a child a helmet that they will 'grow into'.
If your cycle helmet gets damaged, replace it with a new one.
Please note that if a police officer stops you and asks to inspect your helmet, you must give it to them.
Helmets
What does the Road User Rule say about helmets?
The Road User Rule sets out who has to wear a helmet, what standards
helmets need to meet and under what circumstances they need to be worn.
You will need to contact Land Transport NZ on 0800 699 000 or write to PO Box 2840, Wellington.
Land Transport Cycles study guide
For more discussion and links to the situation in other countries :
http://www.cycle-helmets.com/zealand_helmets.html
http://www.cyclinghealth.org.nz/
Cycling Health promotes safe cycling and cyclists’ rights.
Consequently one goal is the removal of the New Zealand anti-safety & discriminatory bicycle helmet law.