Helmet law unfairly targets cyclists, say bike advocates

Monday, 3 October 2016

Mayoral Candidate Chloe Swarbrick wants to remove compulsory bike helmet laws

They're designed to keep cyclists safe, but some politicians and cycling advocates say helmets might be making it more dangerous to bike.

Auckland mayoral candidate Chloe Swarbrick is the latest to suggest New Zealand's helmet law should be scrapped.

But despite the opposition, the Government has no plans to change the rules.

If caught without a helmet, cyclists can be fined $55 on the spot.

Swarbrick says the law shows New Zealand's 'disdain for cyclists'.

* Cyclists cop $3.75m in fines, mostly for not wearing helmets

* Helmet review throws cold water on sceptics: They'll likely save your life

New Zealand has a 'disdain for cyclists', says Auckland mayoral candidate Chloe Swarbrick.

* Kids on scooters, skateboards 'should be legally required to wear helmets'**

'The last thing any politician wants to be responsible for is people getting hurt, but enforcing cotton wool without critique is worse,' she said on Twitter.

Transport commentator Matt Lowrie says the law unfairly targets cyclists.

Police data shows only 18 people had borne the brunt of New Zealand's mandatory helmet rules between July 2014 and June 2015. A police report shows they aimed to take action against 20 to 30 non-compliant cyclists during that time.

Transport commentator Matt Lowrie regularly cycles around Auckland, but despite the potential risks and laws, he doesn't always wear a helmet.

'It needs to be a choice,' he says.

Lowrie thinks cyclists have been unfairly impacted by transport laws. While cyclists have to wear helmets, skateboarders and people on other foot-powered rides aren't impacted by regulations. Lowrie points out, many skateboarders still wear helmets anyway.

'Even if helmet laws were gone, I would still wear helmets in some situations and I wouldn't at other times. It depends on the risks,' Lowrie said.

Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss said there were no plans to change the law.

There were other strategies to improve cycle safety and participation, he said.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) set up an independent Cycling Safety Panel in 2014, following the deaths of 13 cyclists in 2010.

During the panel's investigation, numerous submitters claimed helmets discouraged people from cycling, which therefore made roads less safe for cyclists as drivers were less familiar with them.

The panel agreed that if more people cycled, it would be safer for cyclists. They concluded, however, that there was insufficient evidence to support the removal of the mandatory helmet rule.

'Two-thirds of on-road crashes do not involve a vehicle, and often in these instances wearing a helmet can mean the difference between a nasty shock with an accompanying headache and a long-term brain injury or death,' the report stated.

Bike Auckland chair Barbara Cuthbert said the report was out of date.

Since it was issued, in December 2014, more cycle lanes and tracks have been built, thanks to new funds from the Government.

Because of these new cycleways, it's now safer to bike, Cuthbert said.

'We can trust the good judgment of people.'

Cuthbert wanted to see cycling made as easy as possible. Helmets were a barrier for people wanting to cycle, she said.

Helmets forced people to get changed, redo their hair and prevented people from 'just hopping on their bike', she said. Not to mention, the problem faced by people with larger heads than helmets catered for.