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When the worst in the world try to lecture the rest
Abstract Despite having one of the worst track record, Australians academics try to lecture the world about cycling safety. This may seem odd. Yet it fits with the Australian government agenda of obfuscating the disappointing results of its controversial bicycle helmet law. This is not about cycling safety. It is about defending government policy. An…
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How to escape bicycle helmet fines in Australia
Nerendra Jeet Singh, a Sikh, went to court in New South Wales (NSW), Australia over a bicycle helmet fine. He escaped the fine, arguing that his identity and religion are of prime importance. In Queensland, Jasdeep Atwal challenged a helmet fine in court. The Sikh community has led Queensland to reform the helmet law to add a religious exemption.…
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Helmet fanatics misleading tricks exposed at senate inquiry
The Australian federal government senate inquiry on personal choice terms of reference include: “bicycle helmet laws, including any impact on the health, enjoyment and finances of cyclists and non-cyclists;” Most submissions to the inquiry requested a review of the bicycle helmet law. The senate inquiry held hearings on the bicycle helmet law on the 16th of November…
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Confusing helmets with polystyrene hats
Why are these two devices given the same name? This device protects in a serious accident This device crumbles in a serious accident Imagine a drug manufacturer introduces a new medicine it calls new aspirin. Yet the new aspirin is only 1% as effective as current aspirin. There would be an outcry. It is misleading to give the same name…
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Submission to senate inquiry on road safety in Australia
1 March 2015 In this inquiry, our concern is the safety of cyclists as road users, having regard to the costs of injury and death to them. We focus here on the design standard for bicycle helmets, made mandatory by federal trade practices legislation and administered by the ACCC, and its adequacy for supporting the…
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Another attempt to introduce a helmet law defeated
A proposal to introduce a helmet law is California was withdrawn following opposition from cycling groups. A petition from the California Bicycle Coalition mentioned: “there are proven ways to make our streets safer while encouraging bicycling — reducing speed limits on key streets, building protected bike lanes and bike paths, and educating motorists and bicyclists on…
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German study concludes that a bicycle helmet law is a waste of resource
Bicycle helmet laws are motivated by a desire to improve safety. Yet when they have been implemented, the main result has been to reduce cycling. This imposes healths costs by reducing the health benefits of cycling. Are the benefits worth the costs? An Australian study concluded a helmet law may provide a small benefit under extreme assumptions. A new study attempts to…
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Can helmets cause permanent disability?
In 1993, a team of researchers conducted lab experiments on bicycle helmets. The purpose was to measure the chin strap forces in accidents. The researchers were shocked by what they found. They found that helmets can seriously damage cyclists neck: “The non-shell helmet did in all trials grab the asphalt surface, which rotated the head together with the helmet. The…
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Calls for more of the same failed policy after increase in cycling injuries
A recent increase in cycling injuries in Western Australia has resulted in the typical calls for “more helmets” as if it was the solution to cycling safety: One-fifth of cyclists who have been treated over the past four years were not wearing a helmet. In Western Australia, more than 30% of cyclists are not wearing…
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Parliamentary inquiry calls for helmet law reform
A parliamentary inquiry into cycling issues in Queensland, Australia, recommends reforms to wind back the controversial helmet law that has harmed cycling for 20 years. The report makes two key recommendations in regards to the helmet law: Recommendation 15 The Committee recommends that the Minister for Transport and Main Roads: introduce a 24 month trial…
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