BikeBiz

Blah blah.... here we go again. The bike isn't the danger it is the car. It is a bit like making everyone wear bullet proof vests in case they get shot.

In my experience, compulsory helmet-wearing is less likely to result in reduced road traffic deaths among cyclists than infrastructure measures such as dedicated cycle paths and education measures such as advertising campaigns, road signs, and increased training for both cyclists and car drivers. It is good to see this delegation is including the latter as well as the former in its presentation. My understanding is that the ANSI standard for bicycle helmets accounts for crashes in which the cyclist is travelling at speeds of up to 15 mph and has impact with a smooth rigid surface such as un-cratered road. Most cars travel a lot faster than 15 mph. In all of the fatal cycling accidents I have seen (sadly far too many), and non-fatal but resulting in permanent disability (also too many), the cyclist was wearing a helmet. I have also seen non-fatal accidents with speeds of 20+ mph in which the helmet was destroyed and the cyclist survived. It is impossible to say with certainty whether or not these accidents would have been fatal had the cyclist not been wearing a helmet. All things considered, I see it as a good idea for a cyclist to wear a helmet as this will likely prevent concussion and abrasions in a low-speed accident. but making helmets compulsory as part of a cyclist safety campaign is likely to result mainly in a false sense of security if reducing fatalities is the goal. Useful article: http://bjsportmed.com/content/24/1/55.full.pdf

Wanting to ban B m x from public roads? I would love to hear the reasons behind that one.

Try making car drivers and car passengers wear helmets? there are more of them. more get killed, I wear a helmet.. but sometimes I don't! Am I really going to be punished through the law because car drivers are not concentrating on what they are doing!? I say wear a helmet if you want (ten bob head , ten bob hat natural selection policy) but make the law the same as in Holland. All so all car drivers and cyclist to be re-assessed for standard's of road use every three years. Cars don't kill cyclists, people do! timax. ( BMX are legally can ride on the pavement anyway, 20" wheels)

I can't imagine (any logical reason) why anyone believes BMX bikes shouldn't be allowed on Public roads. As for helmets, they are a side issue, it's motor-vehicles and primarily cars and the way they are driven that are the problem, particularly in close proximity to cyclists and pedestrians. If someone invented a helmet that would deflect cars and leave me unharmed, I buy one.