Bicycle Helmets & Safety

[PeZulu]

There was a time, albeit a long, long time ago, before the advent of indexed gearing & clip in pedals when I would venture out on my steel frame steed sans any head protection. I could do it all, flip up the pedal with my toe, strap in, & "feel" my gear levers into position while feeling the wind in my hair.

This changed with changes to laws & I took to wearing a helmet at all times. It just became part of the setup. Over the years I have had the occasional mishap with resulting broken bones & loss of skin. On two occasions I have headbutted the pavement with thankfully adequate head protection.

Now I come to my point: Last evening while training at Centennial Park I observed at least 10 individuals on bikes wearing no helmet. Two of them had their helmets strapped to their handlebars (now while I believe in looking after your bike, I thought this was a bit OTT). I'm sure we have all seen other cyclists / bicycle commuters wearing no helmets from time to time.

Questions: Is it not law in NSW to wear compliant helmets? How do we educate people about the benefits of wearing helmets? Would you still wear one if you weren't obliged to?

[Murphs]

It is likely that they are using this precedent to escape helmet fines.

[Chelsea]

It's law in NSW to wear a approved Helmet the cops can fine people Ive seen it happen once to some one riding a mountain bike down the road helmet on the bars and holding a brown paper bag (wonder what was in there).    The cop pulled him over near where I was I could here what was going on and the cop throw his book at the guy of course the guy started swearing and carrying on. I think the law is a good thing and needs to be enforced a bit better.
    From memory the law came in around mid 80's cause I remember my first ugly as pink stack hat that my folks bought me geez it weighed a ton we come a long way with head protection now

[gtveloce]

Yes, despite the recent ruling it remains law and I for one encourage helmet wearing by modeling compliance with the law; I have also taken appropriate opportunities to discuss the subject with non-wearers (in a nice friendly way, particularly if kids are involved).

However whilst I have personally banged my head on the road a couple of times and written off a helmet each time (rather than a skull) I do accept that not everyone has my strongly positive opinion about helmets. Indeed helmets can be expensive, hot and uncomfortable and a disincentive to riding, which is a definite down-side to compulsory use. Whilst I don't let my kids ride without one I can understand why others are more relaxed about it. But then again I don't pick up the pieces in the emergency room.

As for Centennial Park, it's an odd beast with its own laws and customs. The park authorities have tried to stamp out training there - it used to be the place to be on a Tuesday or Thursday arvo with huge bunches and a sprint-a-lap. I haven't ridden there for years but go back to the mid-70s when Grand Drive was a 2-way road and if you wore a helmet at all it was a next-to-useless soft leather one. And yes, I was on a single-speed steel fixie back then. Fixie aside, I can also attest to the satisfaction that one got when getting a downtube-style friction gear shift just right, pre-indexing. Schleck may have won Le Tour this year if he'd just learnt how to shift gears manually ;-) 

[Tony]

I read the article that Murphs posted the link to. In this extract:

He found Ms Abbott had ''an honestly held and not unreasonable belief as to the danger associated with the use of a helmet by cyclists'', and quashed her conviction, although he still found her offence proven.

For a precedence to be found the matter would have to be found not proven, she only had the conviction quashed. So the Police can still fine non-helmet wearers.

[Stuart]

Interesting point Col.

I've noticed in the countries I've visited for work in the last twelve months that the approach to this requirement varies. It is the law to wear one in the Australia but not so in the UK and Europe unless competing in a race (UCI rules require the wearing of a helmet in races??) as Mr Van Der Curren would attest.

It all sounds like the changes to safety requirements that I deal with in Aviation. For an improvement to be made the risks have to be weighed against the benefits. Obviously if it is still dangerous enough then we wouldn't being doing it (whatever "it" is). I'm sure that if helmet technology particularly safety standards, weight, features and ultimately looks hadn't evolved over the years since we rode with the wind in our hair then we might be much more resistant now days. I still ask myself the question though every time I see a cyclist darting through London traffic (that's the only way you can dart anywhere on London roads) why they can afford all the Pro Team bike and kit but not the helmet  Aren't they aware of the risk? Have they not taken a tumble or helped a mate scrape themselves off the road??

Lastly, thank god as modern helmets look pretty good and do a great job when needed. I know I would wear one anyway - law or no law - I'm sure Chris Murphy would agree this morning!... 

PS - Sorry Murphs I had to add that. I'll buy you a coffee sometime in a month's time ha ha ha!

Cheers
Stuey 

[RUBICON]

I know this has been discussed over and over again, whether or not helmets actually do infact help you versus the argument that they only aid in further extending the neck and causing more damage. But as a Qualified Showjumping instructor I've seen first hand how helmets have saved many horseriders from near misses to the temples from objects and horses when they fall. I've also seen three close friends end up as quadriplegics for not having helmets on.  I still fail to see how putting on a helmet and the 1 in a million what if's, why people still continue to question wearing one

[Matt]

Just got back from Melbourne where they have begun a rent-a-bike scheme that some of you may have seen in China or Europe.  Racks of beautiful blue transit bikes popping up everywhere.  Problem is that someone forgot about the helmet rule. Woops.

[Chelsea]

Bit like Sydney 0 to 7 kms in 25 seconds bikes there riding around on 

[Andy H]

Bit like Sydney 0 to 7 kms in 25 seconds bikes there riding around on 

Mate, have you read what you've posted? What ARE you talking about?

[WHITE]

Makes sense if you match it to a topic..... Got no idea myself what the topic might be, but a good challenge for someone to come up with something.

[Chelsea]

Oh sorry thought you might have seen them going around sydney. Ok here is the deal its a bit like what Matt was saying in Sydney they have these bikes that I guess are like a bike in a bubble they take people around very slowly. Anyway point being has anyone thought about helmets for these as the riders of these bikes are riding very dangeriuosly. Its only matter of time before they get hurt !!

[Matt]

Someone said they're working on super-cheap helmets that comply with the ADR's that the 7/11's will sell

[RUBICON]

Sorry, still confused

[Ciaran]

Translation - There are some pedal powered tuk-tuks that operate in sydney city as cheap taxis.  They are slow.