Should cyclists wear helmets?

[Bob Kane]

Here's an excellent article which supports the relaxing of the helmet laws:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/102253739/cycling-rates-could-double-if-we-give-people-choice-on-using-a-helmet

A few quotes:

There are different styles of riding a bike, each with different levels of risk. There are speed cyclists. There are downhill mountainbike riders. There are low-speed riders using their bike as a means of getting from A to B. Yet there's only one blanket law for riding a bike, no matter what style of riding or where that riding is happening – whether it's on the road, off the road, in a park, or on a separated cycleway.

NYC has no helmet law, 38 million bike share trips & 0 deaths. Seattle has a helmet law & 1 dead bike share system.
Janette Sadik-Khan, Former NYC Transport Commissioner

Bike share is coming, but it has failed everywhere where there is a blanket helmet law.

After 1994 when helmets became compulsory in New Zealand, the unintended fallout was a corresponding 50 per cent drop in the numbers of people riding a bike. That's 50 per cent fewer people getting the life-extending benefits of riding.

[Wayne]

The bike sharing bit is important. I have seen this overseas and it is always hard with the helmet bit - where do yoiu get the helmet if sharing a bike? People don't want to share helmets also.

[Sportsvee]

Personally, all for helmets. It's like a seat belt - most basic thing I can do to keep myself a little safer.

But let's make it optional. No helmet = no ACC coverage, helmet = ACC coverage. Same with seat belts. User decides action and consequence.

[Perry]

Get Real

That would never do!
Asking, nay, suggesting that people are made responsible for the consequences of their actions?
Hell, no!
The socialists would never agree.
"No fault" is their mantra.
ACC, health and relationship break-ups being three like that.

The only reason wearing cycle helmets is enforced is because it costs the gummint more in 'free' health care.

[Sportsvee]

The only reason wearing cycle helmets is enforceable (but seldom enforced) is because it costs the gummint more in 'free' health care.

Fixed it for ya.
We really need that like button :-)

[Perry]

A very good correction. Thanks. Expresses it so much better.

Until bikes have to be registered and have a licence plate, it's too hard to ping the rider for not wearing a cycle helmet.

[donna]

Are we ready for bike share - and more bikes in use? There's a loathing of cyclists by drivers - it's the middle aged lycra wearing cyclists fault. They've ruined it for everyone. Traffic chaos will only get worse if more take to the streets on bikes. Kiwis struggle with sharing the road and having to give way to not just the odd bike but many bikes - well that's a step too far.

cheers,

Donna

[Aston]

Are we ready for bike share - and more bikes in use? There's a loathing of cyclists by drivers - it's the middle aged lycra wearing cyclists fault. They've ruined it for everyone. Traffic chaos will only get worse if more take to the streets on bikes. Kiwis struggle with sharing the road and having to give way to not just the odd bike but many bikes - well that's a step too far.

cheers,

Donna

Totally agree. Roads are designed for cars, not for cars and bikes to share.

[Bob Kane]

Personally, all for helmets. It's like a seat belt - most basic thing I can do to keep myself a little safer.

But let's make it optional. No helmet = no ACC coverage, helmet = ACC coverage. Same with seat belts. User decides action and consequence.

Why not make it optional?
New York had 38 million bike share trips and no deaths.

[Sportsvee]

Why not make it optional?
New York had 38 million bike share trips and no deaths.

That might just mean New Yorkers are better drivers that NZers. Plus they might be to scared of getting sued.

[Bob Kane]

Those 38 million cycle rides are done in the 'sit-up style' of riding and don't need a helmet due to their slow speeds and friendly attitudes.
The only people who cycle in NZ appear to be those middle aged louts who ride in a competitive and aggressive fashion on the weekends and clog up the roads between 9am and 1pm.
I guess it's just a fad and I can't wait for them to move onto some other public exhibitionist activity.

[Bob Kane]

Here you go:

http://onzo.co.nz/

A bike sharing program in Auckland and Wellington.
With compulsory cycle helmets in NZ it's going to be interesting to see if customers want to share a sweaty helmet with others.
From the website it claims they have had 100,000 rides in Auckland - and show photos of smiling customers with no helmets.
I'm picking that customers will just ignore the helmet and pedal away.
As they should.

[Bob Kane]

And now electric scooters - without needing a helmet.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107857621/lime-scooters-launch-in-new-zealands-two-largest-cities

Sounds like a winner.

[Perry]

Seems like another headache for the central and local govt. numpties to grapple with.
Another technological leap they'll struggle with, so will layer it with T&C.
Especially with all the Elf and Softy madness that infects us all.
Roll cage on mobility scooters next?

[Wayne]

Roll cage on mobility scooters next?

They haven't demanded roll cages on quad bikes and they actually kill people - lots of them really.