QLD helmet laws

[trog]

I have heard that it will be soon be discretionary for adults to wear helmets, Is there any truth to this ?

[Mick_Marsh]

In what context?

[weeds]

Er I think that's wishful thinking........there is plenty of talk and comparisons about what other countries do but I doubt they will roll back the rules.

Even if they changed the rules I would still wear a helmet for commuting to work and MTBing.......on the odd occasion I jump onto a MTB and popped down to the shops for milk and the paper and haven't worn a helmet

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Wearing a helmet on any sort of bike should only be a consideration if you have a brain worth protecting.

If you don't mind being dead or disabled after even a minor crash then IMHO don't wear a helmet.

[weeds]

Wearing a helmet on any sort of bike should only be a consideration if you have a brain worth protecting.

If you don't mind being dead or disabled after even a minor crash then IMHO don't wear a helmet.

Not just a bike but also include skateboard, scooter, roller blades etc...............nearly all of us survived our childhood, I had to ride 5/6km each way everyday along a single lane country rd where the speed limit was 80

[Mick_Marsh]

Not just a bike but also include skateboard, scooter, roller blades etc...............nearly all of us survived our childhood, I had to ride 5/6km each way everyday along a single lane country rd where the speed limit was 80
I used to live in a shoe box in the middle of the motorway.

Here in Melbourne, the RACV have bicycles you can hire from bike racks dotted around the city. You pop you coin in the slot and ride it to a rack near where you want to go and leave the bike there. Having a helmet on hand when you need a push bike is not an easy task. In other cities where this system is in place, they don't need to wear a bike helmet to satisfy a law.
If it was optional, I'd use the RACV bikes on occasion. Of course, whenever I get out on my bush bike I'll be wearing a helmet.

[bee utey]

I have heard that it will be soon be discretionary for adults to wear helmets, Is there any truth to this ?
I assume you're referring to this news article (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/queensland-ponders-relaxing-cycle-helmet-laws/story-e6frg6nf-1226771527022). NT though has relaxed helmet laws for over 17 y.o. riders off the roads. Apparently the police only fine you for riding the road helmetless if they're having a particularly bad hair day.

[Mick_Marsh]

I assume you're referring to this news article (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/queensland-ponders-relaxing-cycle-helmet-laws/story-e6frg6nf-1226771527022). NT though has relaxed helmet laws for over 17 y.o. riders off the roads. Apparently the police only fine you for riding the road helmetless if they're having a particularly bad hair day.
From the article:
It also says helmet requirements should be scrapped for public schemes, such as Brisbane's struggling CityCycle bike hire program.
The requirement for riders to provide their own helmets has been blamed for its failure to take off.
I'd agree with that.
The article also said:
The committee has recommended a two-year trial, giving riders aged 16 and over the freedom to choose whether to wear helmets in parks, on foot and bike paths, and on roads where the speed limit is 60km/h or less.
I'd agree with that too.

[Hoffer]

3 months ago i came off my MTB and punctured my lung. My helmet also cracked in two so i would be a major advocate of never getting on a bike without one.

Doctors said that if it wasn't for the helmet i could have been a lot worse off

[Homestar]

Speed and speed limits have nothing to do with it. My daughter fell off her bike years ago when just about stopped - in a housing estate. She hit the back of her head on the gutter. Doc said that if she hadn't been wearing a helmet she would be dead.

Yes we all survived as kids not wearing them - the disabled and dead ones aren't on here talking about it. Head injuries were greatly reduced once the compulsory helmet laws came in. It's not that hard to wear one...

[landy]

From the article:-
"It also says helmet requirements should be scrapped for public schemes, such as Brisbane's struggling CityCycle bike hire program.

The requirement for riders to provide their own helmets has been blamed for its failure to take off."

Do you get the feeling that public safety is a second thought to making a (State) Government scheme profitable?
Hmmmmmmm.

Nino.

[jimb]

I have ridden a fair amount across Europe on road bikes and always wear a helmet even though its not legislated in any european country ( that I aware of).
I lived in Amsterdam for 10 years and nobody wears a helmet. But thats another story altogether.

UK it's also optional but most commuters wear them.

Should people be given the option to choose?
Australians need to work out what we want governments to enforce. Get the feeling there is an each way bet sometimes in legislation.

Well allow it but tax the hell out if it- justification is burden in our health system.

I wonder how long before the police issue fines fir people not wearing a hat at the beach? Skin cancer drains our health system- I can see it now:)

There was a study in England I read about in UK cycling magazine some years ago that showed cycling accidents are more likely when the cyclist is wearing a helmet- the crux of it was motor vehicles gave less distance when people wore helmets.

In mackay I have been pleasantly surprised by the general be vigour of motor car drivers to cyclists.

[Bigbjorn]

From the article:-
"It also says helmet requirements should be scrapped for public schemes, such as Brisbane's struggling CityCycle bike hire program.

The requirement for riders to provide their own helmets has been blamed for its failure to take off."

Do you get the feeling that public safety is a second thought to making a (State) Government scheme profitable?
Hmmmmmmm.

Nino.

It is a Brisbane City Council scheme from "The Runt" Newman's terms as Lord Mayor. Another financial disaster, unused, unwanted, and unpopular, like his tunnels.

Why would anyone with half a brain think that people(other than dedicated cyclists) would want to hire a bike in Brisbane? Brisbane is hot, humid, and hilly. Not exactly comfortable cycling country.

[weeds]

It is a Brisbane City Council scheme from "The Runt" Newman's terms as Lord Mayor. Another financial disaster, unused, unwanted, and unpopular, like his tunnels.
I reckon the tunnels are awesome..........especially in peak hour

Why would anyone with half a brain think that people(other than dedicated cyclists) would want to hire a bike in Brisbane? Brisbane is hot, humid, and hilly. Not exactly comfortable cycling country.
i'm a cyclist and always thought is would be a flop........I have never considered using one

...

[101RRS]

It is a Brisbane City Council scheme from "The Runt" Newman's terms as Lord Mayor.

Don't you mean "The Ferret".

[VladTepes]

Hoffer you shoudl have had one on your chest as well !

[Meken]

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Because you ride a real bike