Take Action

You can do something about mandatory helmet laws and it doesn’t take much effort. If you believe in helmet freedom – that helmets are good but helmet laws are a disaster, then here is what you need to do:

Write to your state representatives

We’ve written a bunch of template letters arguing against helmet laws that make it super easy to lobby your state members of Parliament. Just enter your postcode and they will be pre-formatted to the correct politician for your location (Australia only). It takes less than 5 minutes, so do this at least monthly. Stop. Don’t continue, do this right now!

Spread the word

Tweet, like, share, subscribe, blog and tell others about this site. Are you on Facebook? Like Helmet Freedom now. On Twitter? Tweet your support today. Get two other people to commit to writing letters like you. Our goal is to have 10,000 letters written to Australian politicians in 2012. All that needs to happen is for you to commit to writing once a month and getting two friends to do the same. Remember, it takes less than 5 minutes.

Get informed

Mandatory helmet laws can only exist while people are ill-informed. We’ve put together a critical summary of the available research on helmet efficacy (yes, they do work), helmet law effectiveness (but helmet laws are a disaster for cycling), as well as the relationship between helmet laws, cycling numbers and cyclist safety.

http://localhost/freedom/?page_id=6

http://bicycleaustralia.org Stephen

Great site i just found it i have done something similar myself one thing you are missing here is voting – politicians can’t ignore how we vote.

Please put the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) first if possible. The LDP have a specific policy to remove mandatory helmet laws and other laws which criminalize victim-less crimes.

Take a look here please and if you agree consider joining (it’s free) to help them get AEC registration. The LDP deserves a place on the voting forms just for this policy alone.

http://www.ldp.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1166:victimless-crimes&catid=101:policies&Itemid=290
Gav

Helmets are a bit like shark nets at beaches, I swim at loads of beaches with no netting (in Sydney) but as soon as I swim over the other side of the net (ie the unprotected side) I feel all nervous and like I’m doing something wrong and dangerous, and people look at me like I’m a rebel. Never a feeling I have on a beach (eg Clontarf) where there are no nets.

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

Its amazing how we are all ‘socialised’ into considering some things risky but not others. Suggest to someone that they wear a helmet walking or driving and they will think you’re nuts. But a bike helmet, that’s just common sense despite the risks of all 3 activities being similar.

Luke

Hi, this is a letter I recently sent to the Queensland Minister for Transport on this issue.
Cheers, Luke.

The Hon. Rachel Nolan, MP
Minister for Transport
Level 15 Capital Hill
85 George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000

28 January 2011

Dear Minister,

RE: Mandatory Bicycle Helmet Law in Queensland

I request that you consider a review into how effective mandatory bicycle helmet laws have been in improving the overall health and safety of the Queensland public.

I suggest the following points for consideration in such a review.

Effectiveness of helmet laws in reducing serious injury

Recent scientific investigations have found that there is little or no evidence that helmets significantly reduce the overall incidence of serious head injuries. There are a number of possible explanations for this.

Firstly, a helmet increases the size of the rider’s head area, and may increase the chances of an impact. Secondly, although helmets protect the head against a direct impact, most serious head injuries occur due to a rotating force on the head and neck, which helmets do not protect against. In some rare cases helmets may even exacerbate or cause an injury itself.

Effect of mandatory helmet legislation on cycling participation rates

Australia is one very few countries in the world with mandatory helmet laws for adults and we have some of the lowest cycling participation rates anywhere.

The introduction of helmet laws in Australia in the early 1990s led to significant reduction in the number of people using bikes. It is estimated that the number of people cycling declined by between 20% and 45% across the various states following the introduction of the laws.

Mandatory helmet use discourages people from riding in a few different ways – helmets can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. The requirement to wear a helmet regardless of the traffic conditions also contributes to the perception that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity, which it is not.

Minister, if the Queensland government is willing to take a broader view on the question, it is possible to conclude that mandatory helmet legislation has actually been detrimental to the health of Queenslanders.

In discouraging a healthy and potentially very beneficial activity like bike riding, the helmet law is certainly doing nothing to help reduce the rate of health conditions related to a sedentary lifestyle such as obesity and heart disease, which are quite high in Australia.

As for trying to reduce the rates of serious injuries suffered by cyclists on the road, perhaps a different approach might be considered?

The most effective way to prevent damage to the human body in a collision with a car or truck is not to wear a helmet and hope for the best, but to make it less likely that the collision occurs in the first place. Increasing the amount of bikeways (and especially segregated bikeways) is the most effective way of doing this, and I commend the good work that Queensland state and local governments have been doing in this respect.

Yours faithfully,

Luke

ps the above comment lost a bit of letter’s formatting including the footnote references I used to verify some of the points. For the record, these were:

1 Curnow, W.J., Bicycle Helmets: A Scientific Evaluation, Transportation Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2008.

2 Bassett Jr, D.R. et al, Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia, Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2008.

3 Robinson, D.L., No clear evidence from countries that have enforced the wearing of helmets, British Medical Journal, 2006.

Cheers,
Luke.
http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

Luke, excellent work writing a letter to Minister Nolan.

Personally I’m not convinced about the whole diffuse axonal injury thing. I think a much greater danger from helmet legislation is that it prevents people taking proper skin cancer precautions such as wearing wide brimmed hats. The evidence shows that more cyclists (and 50 times more of the general population) die from skin cancer than cycling.

That said, I support the rest of your arguments wholeheartedly.

Keep writing every month, and recruit some more people to do the same. Pretty soon, it will be something the politicians can’t ignore!

Dave

Luke

Dave, that’s a great point about skin protection, and something I hadn’t thought about before.

Like yourself, I am not totally sure about the rotational injury theory. But I think it’s fair to say that no-one at this stage is sure. To me the overall point is that MHLs have not produced significant reductions in injuries, for whatever reason.

Great site by the way.

Pingback: 85% fewer fatalities without helmet laws « Helmet Freedom
http://www.riderwear.net/46-open-face Open Face Helmets

People should not be out of the helmet while driving bikes. Because this is much dangerous. This may cause serious fracture upon accidents.
http://twitter.com/Will_Watt William Watt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPjvZlAl_js

paulmartin

Yes, a fabulous film. Thanks, William.

Mike

I just spent a week in the Netherlands. We only saw two cyclists in helmets in six days. The Netherlands have the highest rates of cycling and the safest streets in the world. Mandatory helmet laws are not a substitute for reducing road danger. Australian urban planners have so much to learn. Good luck with your campaign…

http://www.facebook.com/julian.somosi Julian Yogi Somosi

I wore a helmet in the Netherlands, those one handed Dutchies are dangerous… also the fact that I had never ridden on the right side of the road but on the left made me feel VERY unsafe.

Nithdu

You’re an idiot! If you want to be fai dinkum, helmets should be mandatory on roads at the very least. Cycleways, well they can please themselves — there is a reason professional cyclists wear helmets, the same reason we should.

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

Wow, thanks for that well reasoned comment. I especially like how you think the other 98% of the planet are idiots without providing any evidence.

And by the way, professional cyclists only wear helmets when racing – its a UCI rule, not a law. Any other time, its a matter of choice (except in Australian & NZ)
Have a look & learn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lu_gy7C-jk

Denholm

Are European cities much older and built without the motor car and horse/pedestrian in mind? Hence more suitability for bikes.

How did that ad cost $40k??? Shot in an hour on a HD DSLR and edited the same night on your Macbook Pro.

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

The historical argument is straw man. Many Australian cities were build before 1920 but today have poor cycling infrastructure while in Europe many cities where built in the 1970s and have great bike infrastructure.

Here is an example http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2011/04/houten-celebrates-cycling.html

Not sure about the $40k figure either!
Chris

first class airfares to europe to film a couple of dudes. .

Anthonywdaniell

My helmet cost $280.00 and it does not do much for me. Helmets should go.

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

I’ll still choose to wear one when the circumstances dictate but that’s what this is about – freedom of choice!

Anthonywdaniell

I wear mine all the time, and they are good protection against the magpies. I wanted to get a full face helmet like the ones for motor bikes but was told I could not because of lost vision as the motor bikes have mirrors on them and push bikes do not. I have a mirror on my push bike. And yes car drivers in Australia are bad and do not like to give way to push bikes. But the law is the law and I will not risk a fine just to say no to a law I do not like. One could compare this to speed cameras that do not save lives but the government will not get rid of them. So have a great week end and a safe one.

M dinneen

get real helmets protect us from the other idiots using the roads. I ride and would never contemplate not wearing a helmet

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

And you’ll still be able to do just that if helmet laws are repealed. But you do you want to force everyone else to wear one in every situation, even when not on the road?

SHampton

I agree with ‘M dinneen’. If a cyclist not wearing a helmet and is in an accident with a car and then dies, even if the cyclist was at fault, the car diver has to live with a death on their hands for the rest of their life, whereas a helmet may have saved them. I have to say this non-helmet idea is really a huge joke. Probably have the same amount of chance of getting the government to make seatbelts in cars optional….. Because whatever reason or view you put on making helmets optional, do the same for seatbelts in cars and you’ll see how silly this is.

http://www.theurbancountry.com James Schwartz

If a car driver who is not wearing a helmet is in an accident with another car and then dies, even if the car driver without the helmet was at fault, the car driver who survived has to live with a death on their hands for the rest of their life, whereas a helmet may have saved the other driver.

I also find it funny how people on here compare car seatbelts and motorcycle helmets to bicycle helmets. Many motorcycles are designed to go 300km/h+, and most cars can go 200km/h+, whereas a bicycle usually travels around 20km/h and normally can’t go much faster than 40km/h. Cars and motorcycles are dangerous death machines. Bicycles are not inherently dangerous except for the inattentive, distracted, aggressive car drivers around them. Let’s get to the root of the problem. Mandating that cyclists put a piece of foam on their head is not solving anything.

Nath

I believe that the wearing of helmets should be mandatory, what happens when you clipped by at car doing 10km per hour through a city street hit your head directly on the kerb and knock yourself out. Because you didn’t had adequate car in wearing a helmet you will not be covered by insurance and have to pay for all medical expenses yourself, and I am not even thinking about long term affects (Brain Damage: Memory loss, slower processing speeds and Bleeding in the Brain)
I crashed 18 months ago, I was wearing a helmet and crashed at 15km per hour, I spent the next 3 months in hospital with bleeding on my brain, they say the helmet saved my life. The damage to my brain happened at the top of my head and brain even though I was wearing a helmet i still suffered.
There is reason as to why helmets has compulsory – THEY SAVE LIVES.

http://twitter.com/TurnerLukeJ Luke Turner

In your initial example, the person is not injured because they weren’t
wearing a helmet, they are injured because they are hit by a car.

That
scenario could equally apply to a pedestrian. In fact more pedestrians
are killed in Australia each year than cyclists (40 cyclists Vs 200
pedestrians). Do you think all pedestrians should be forced to wear
helmets? If not, why not? After all, some lives could be saved.

DomT

So are you suggesting there’s the same number of cyclists as pedestrians? In fact your comparison falls well short of telling the real story.

I’d be long dead if I didn’t wear a helmet when riding. In my instance, the helmet was both split in half and severely crushed across the front. I got off very lightly – concussion and a couple of operations on my face. The ambos made it very clear what would have happened.

Do you think motorcycle helmets should be compulsory?
Kat

But you can CHOOOOOSE to wear a helmet if you want to. But if I do not want to, why do YOU or anyone else tell me I have to. The same argument for helmets could be argued for pedestrians and drivers of cars – sound ridiculous ….but 30 years ago it would have sounded ridiculous for a nanny state to impose such silly laws on cyclists. I chose not to wear a helmet – they can fine me if they like – what are they going to do …. impound my old bike!
DomT

I take it you’ve never been in a serious bike accident. Guess what? You don’t know when they’re going to happen, so the only planning ahead you can do for them is protecting yourself. And it doesn’t matter how slowly or ‘safely’ you ride. Concrete is concrete.

Do you wear a seatbelt in a car? Would you wear a helmet on a motorcycle? Do you think the government (or taxpayers like myself) should pay for your rehabilitation after your head trauma from an accident because you thought you were too cool to wear a helmet?

Or do you seriously believe that nothing could happen to you?
http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

I’ve been in plenty of bike accidents. Once I jumped a tree poorly, flipped upside down and landed on my head. My helmet exploded (queue a helmet saved my life story). This was in Europe, and there was no legal requirement to wear one, yet every mountain bike there still does.

But let me ask you this – do you wear a helmet when you walk or drive? Do you think the government (or taxpayers like myself) should pay for
your rehabilitation after your head trauma from an accident because you
thought you were too cool to wear a helmet?

Or do you believe that a helmet only works if you are on a bike?
DomT

There are plenty of other safety devices in a car, including seatbelts, airbags, and having a lot of metal around you. Before a lot of these devices were introduced there was a time the government did seriously consider compulsory helmets in cars. There’s a reason racing drivers wear them.

As for walking, I’m not sharing my space with fast moving objects enough to warrant wearing a helmet. If I did my walking on the road things would be different. I think if you did a risk analysis of it you would find that it was a fair bit lower than when on a bike. Hence my issue with paying for rehab – you’re kidding yourself if you don’t think the risks are high every time you get on a bike. Particularly in places like Sydney.

But if I was on a consruction site (where there is a greater risk), I’d definitely wear a helmet.

BTW, Dave, it’s clear you’re not daft enough to not wear a helmet. My comment was for ‘Kat’ who felt she simply didn’t need one.
http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

Dom

I don’t need a helmet on a bike any more than I need one walking or driving. If you believe that walking is safer than cycling, then science says you are wrong http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=14430996

“The following are key points : – Pedestrians bear a higher fatality rate
than cyclists, by a factor of almost 1.5 ; – Cycling in Britain is
safer than driving in many other countries, including France and Belgium
; – Cycling is far safer than driving anywhere when the health benefits
and reduced risk to third parties are included ; – Cycling gets safer
as it gets more popular ; – There is no known example in recent decades
when an increase in cycling led to an increase in cyclist deaths.”

You obviously have had a very personal experience with helmets and have strong beliefs. I’m not really sure how much evidence is needed to overcome what you see as ‘common sense’.
DomT

Dave

I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on this. Ultimately, if your goal was to get more people riding, I’d think that other issues such as infrastructure and driver (and rider) attiudes to bicycles – would have to come first. Having ridden extensively in both London and Sydney, I can assure you the two are very different experiences. London might be bigger, but it’s a hell of a lot safer to ride there. Australian drivers are in fact the worst I’ve encountered (I’ve toured by bike throughout Western Europe and Central America so I’ve seen a bit – Portugal comes second by the way). Add the lousy infrastructure, great distances and hot weather, and it’s clear why cycling doesn’t have the mass appeal it might enjoy in Europe. I certainly don’t think helmet laws are the difference.

By the way, what is your end goal? Is it simply to repeal the helmet laws, or is there something higher than that (such as get more people riding)?

Dom

P.S. Couldn’t acces your link. On what basis do pedestrians have a higher fatality rate than riders – i.e. are they based on time spent travelling, Km travelled, or simply an absolute figure? Are these figures for Australia (fatality rates vary markedly form country to country as you point out).
http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

Dom,
As long as the law exists we’ll continue to disagree because while you might be happy with it being forced on you, many many other are not.

Regarding the risk exposures, that particular one is kms travelled but given that it is 49 vs 31 deaths per billion kms travelled, the risk is miniscule for both (and hence why the laws aren’t necessary).

Regarding our goals. We want to see cycling in Australia as a safe, healthly and viable transport option for people who want to. For cycling to thrive, it needs to be safe and convenient. Helmet laws make it much less convenient as a transport option without making it any safer. Repealing helmet laws are a necessary but not sufficient condition for this.
DomT

Time spent traveling – i.e. highlighting the time exposed to danger – would give you a far more realistic comparison of risk. i.e. In a 1 hour ride am I exposed to more or less risk than a 1 hour walk?
http://www.theurbancountry.com James Schwartz

For every million hours of travel, bicyclists experience 0.41 fatalities. For the same million hours of travel, a car occupant will experience 0.46 fatalities. For pedestrians it’s 0.80 fatalities for every million hours of travel, and motorcyclists experience 7.50 fatalities.

When it comes to hospital admissions for head injuries, bicyclists experience 2.2 head injuries for every million hours of travel, while that number is 2.0 for pedestrians, 1.6 for drivers, and 18.0 for motorcyclists.

(These numbers are based on data from Canada, where there is no universal mandatory helmet law, and the majority of cyclists don’t wear helmets).

Given this data, any conversation about mandatory helmets should not be exclusive to cyclists. If we can reduce head injuries for pedestrians and drivers by mandating helmet use, then why wouldn’t we? In fact, why not make full body armour mandatory for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians alike? If that can help increase safety, why not do it? And instead of using foam, plastic helmets, cyclists, drivers and pedestrians should be forced to wear motorcycle helmets. They are much stronger and safer than regular bicycle helmets.

Oh, but then if we mandate full body armour and motorcycle helmets, then drivers, pedestrians and cyclists will probably never leave their house and sit at home and get fat and die at a young age from heart disease…
Tony

I agree with cycle helmets on the road, but a bike track should be a free place to choose for yourself
Mike

Hi Kat I think you might be an academic sheep like a lot of people that have never seen the real World where there is little agro, lot’s of harmony, respect and individualism and freedom of choice.
Yes head trauma happens but do not be programmed as you are and live in fear for everybody else and what might happen.
Go overseas and see the REAL WORLD where there is respect for each others individuality and freedom of choice.
Do not worry about the flying pig that might end up causing a head trauma to some person in a faraway place. END
DomT

30 years ago seatbelts were not compulsory for everone in a car. And child safety seats didn’t exist. Are they silly laws too?
Luke0ut

DomT – there is no question
helmets are an excellent safety option and you should wear them. But there are
times and situations where the risk is low (dedicated bike lanes, quiet country
towns, low traffic wide roads) these are the times when it should be discretionary
ie not get issued $100 fine. I’d be
reluctant to ditch my helmet until there are more bike lanes and drivers more
tolerant to cyclists.

Tony

I was riding in a park in Brisbane on my push bike and was stopped by a police officer who told me I was breaking the law. There was not a car in sight (I was in the middle of a bike track surrounded by tropical forest). REALLY has the world gone mad. I can no longer enjoy a slow and peacefull bike ride in a park without wearing a helmet. I would love to know the stats on how many people have been hit by a car on a bike track and sustained head injuries. WAKE UP BRISBANE. Keep the bike tracks free. They are not Motor vehicle highways. Make it my decision as a Fifty year old adult to decide when and where I need a helmet, I am not my grandson!!!

DomT

Yes. People on the whole either aren’t smart enough or just don’t think about possible outcomes. If you want to see a good example of that, have a look at the amount of motor scooter/cycle riders who are hopelessly inadequately dressed. People actually think that if it isn’t law, it’s safe.
Do you think car seatbelts shouldn’t be mandatory? Do you think if they weren’t, the same number of people will use them. It’s hard enough getting people to use them now – as statistics show.
There’s nothing wrong with having a good habit. At what point would you say that it was ‘safe’ to not wear a helmet? Are you sure everyone in socieety (including kids) is capable of excellent critical judgement?

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

Dom – that’s a fair point you raise (personally, I think riding a motor bike in thongs is pretty stupid but thats just me)

About seatbelts – there is plenty of evidence that supports the govt’s claim that seatbelt laws work. Thats not the case with bike helmet laws and is why most places that did have helmet laws repealed them – Mexico & Israel being the latest.

A better analogy would be this. It is only common sense to wear a hat & sunscreen to the beach but that doesn’t mean its a good idea to make a law saying you must wear a hat at all times or cop a $100 fine. If we did, Im pretty sure that the rate of skin cancer would decline a little but participation in outdoor activities would plummet.

And no, not everyone is capable of judgement but if they can vote, then they should be able to make this choice for themselves.

DomT

Just because someone is old enough to vote doesn’t mean they have a clue. Again, if they weren’t required to, they wouldn’t wear seatbelts. Or they’d drink and drive (another example of why you shouldn’t let people be their own judge).
As for the sunscreen analogy, it’s not as if we’ve suddenly stopped millions of people who were already cycling by introducing helmet laws (which is what that analogy suggests). They weren’t riding in the first place. And to be honest, if they weren’t going to wear helmets it might be better that way. What’s more, SMH reports today there are more cyclists than ever. The biggest problems putting off potential cyclists would be traffic, lack of dedicated lanes, weather and heat and perhaps shower arrangements.

GJGUARDIAN

Which idiots would you be referring to?

Lee

This is brilliant. I recently moved to Germany where there are no helmet laws and I’ve never looked back. Australia is doing itself a massive disservice through these nanny state helmet laws.

The only people who where helmets here are mountain bikers and road riders – the rest of the population don’t wear one, and if they want to wear one, then that’s fine. It’s the compulsory nature for adults to have to wear a helmet that is really killing cycling in Australia. Like this site rightly points out – the obesity rate has doubled since they were introduced, and what’s doing Australia more harm – cycling or obesity. I’d argue the latter definitely.
Jeff Kay

I agree legislation needs to be amended to allow exception for wearing helmets for CityCycle users and users riding short distances at low speeds with similar personal bikes.
Fast Eddy

I enjoy a good offroad ride with mates and we always wear helmets, not because of the law but because we know it is necessary given the type of riding we are doing (we like to egg each other on, race the clock and see who can do the biggest jumps). We understand the need for a helmet in certain situations however we greatly oppose being forced to wear a helmet if we are going for a cruisey ride down the footpath for a coffee on sunday. I think people need to be responsible for themselves instead of relying on laws and government to make their decisions for them.
utility biker

there was a paper presented from a Sydney researcher on the facts around helmet laws and the benefits to sydney if the laws were changed (effectively an estimated minimum doubling of cycling participation) at Qld Transports OWN asia pacific cyle congress in September this year
David Tydeman

Your campaign is very misleading. In Australia we have a free public hospital system. Head injuries are extremely expensive. Are you prepared to pay 4 million dollars for hospital treatment after landing on your head. This was the cost of treatment for a friend in America. Also I have fallen off my bike and landed on my helmet which cracked and saved my skull. I was advised I would have probably died from the injury. My friend landed on his head when not wearing a bike helmet. He spent 6 months in hospital and took a year to learn how to talk again. He lost his job and his family and is now permanently disabled.

The biggest reason given for not wearing helmets is people don’t want mess up their hair!
David Tydeman

http://twitter.com/TurnerLukeJ Luke Turner

David, the fact that we have a free hospital system is no justification for helmet laws.

In fact helmet laws probably do more harm than good to the public health system because they discourage so many from cycling. Everyone who cycles will gain the health benefits of extra exercise, while only a tiny fraction will suffer serious head injuries. Whichever way you look at it, diseases associated with a lack of activity are a far greater problem in Australia than head injuries from cycling accidents. From the Cycling Promotion Fund (who are associated with the Heart Foundation):

“Physical inactivity costs the health budget an estimated $1.5bn a year and causes 16 000 premature deaths per year.” (http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/content/view/526/9/)

In contrast about 30-40 people are killed in bicycle accidents each year. Even if you cycle without a helmet the health benefits of riding outweigh the risks by a huge factor, perhaps as high as 77 to 1 (http://helmetfreedom.org/987/risk-in-perspective/).
Adam

So that must be why leading ER doctors are calling for helmet laws to be scrapped? http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/10/09/adult-bike-helmet-laws-backfiring-doctor/

But hey, why listen to people knowledgeable about the medical system when you can just make up figures like 4 million dollars to treat a head injury (a grossly overinflated figure…try a couple of thousand)

And, can you please post a link to the survey that validates your last statement….or did you just make that up to?

Sales

The proof is in the stats- for adults get rid of helmets
Jk

Are you going to sign out of Medicare while riding your bike without a helmet? As long as my tax dollars are being used to stitch your head up or for life support when you get a serious brain injury the government should be allowed to mandate helmet use.

KB

Only if all the smokers do.

Mick

And obese people!

Mick

And people who don’t wear sunscreen, who later have to get skin cancers cut out.

It’s funny, Jk, how you say “my tax dollars”, as if you are the only person in our society who pays tax. I also pay tax. And “my tax dollars” go towards paying for services that I don’t use either, like paid parental leave. But that is just part of being a member of society.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=670767609 Vanessa Tylman

And drunks.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=670767609 Vanessa Tylman

And anyone who jaywalks.

http://www.facebook.com/julian.somosi Julian Yogi Somosi

Hang on, the benefit of riding a bike outweigh the cost of obesity and medical treatment later in life. this is a proven cost and statistic. These proofs and statistics come from counties where MHL is not in place. AND, as a comparison.

Face it. Riding with or without a helmet is good for its populace.

The issue is that MHL have stopped people from riding a bike. A whole generation has basically stopped riding. meanwhile we get fatter and suffer more health issues. Medicare should be happy if people start getting on their bikes. It saves everyones tax bucks.

JK you are wrong , especially when it comes to reality of the health benefit and cost to the community.
Adam

So….by that logic it should be legally mandatory to get a fly shot, against the law to smoke or drink, against the law to be obese, against the law to eat fatty food, against the law not to get your prostate checked, against the law to be mean to someone (suicide), against the law not to wear a hat (though, it’s against the law to wear one with a helmet on, so I don’t know how those two go together), against the law to drive a car…….and on and on and on

Adam

Flu Shot lol

Mic Chapman

Can we have email address’s posted? I’m not into sending paper mail.

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

When you are on the letter page, just click the email button. You may have to copy & paste the email if its too big.

Chrispy

You my friend are espousing the most utterly flawed logic I have ever read or heard. The association that you have drawn between the introduction of the law requiring cyclists to wear a helmet and obesity has no basis in fact whatsoever. Obesity is increasing for other reasons one of which is lack of education when it comes to preparing food in the home and the fact that fast food is so readily available. Do a little more proper research rather than making ridiculous associations in order to support your case. Anyone can link statistics together in order to present a case but this is stupidity in the extreme.

Cycleways in Australia are few in number unlike many countries Europe. By virtue of that cyclists are forced to ride on roads exposing them to far greater danger than would otherwise be the case. I support compulsory helmet laws and some of my friends who have been knocked off their bicycles would not be here today had they not been wearing a helmet.

GET REAL MATE.
Andrew

A helmet saved my life in a bike crash. Keep and enforce mandatory helmet laws
Fran

wouldn’t it be easiest for you to run a petition through this site, so that you can make it easy for people to share their voice?
Traceyk

Noticed that the contact details of politicians in SA are incorrect. The Premier is now Jay Weatherill, and the Minister for Road Safety is now Jennifer Rankine.
Skilled Globe

My girlfriend had a opening car door accident and hit her head yesterday. Luckily she has spared internal bleeding and swelling. She had no helmet on and wearing one would have eradicated any impact from the accident. We both vow to wear helmets now for all journeys. She is German and previously was against helmet use as it eroded her feeling of freedom when riding. But the cost of one small accident is much more than the benefit of many rides without a helmet. Low risk but high impact, a bit like nuclear power.

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

I’m really sorry to hear about your girlfriend.

No one here is against helmet use. We are against the law that forces everyone to wear one all the time.

Dickheads

You guys are fucking stupid! Give Darwin a hand and shoot yourselves in the name of natural selection
cdriving

I think given a choice is good to ride with your helmet or not. When I was a teen we do not need to have one but after the law have change it kind of put you off. I strongly believe if you ride sensibly and do the right thing I don’t see why not for helmet free.
Gerhard Myburgh

I was the victim of a hit and run. It happened at a very slow speed on a relaxed ride to the shops on a sunday. If I had not been wearing a helmet it might have turned out quite badly for me. I had a broken helmet as opposed to a broken skull. It’s all very romantic when the ad you show portrays people riding through euopean style cobble street in their fashionable suits etc. When you take a ride through the streets of Sydney, you’d better have the attitude that every car on the road is out to kill you, because that is the reality. All the areas that you could feasibly ride in without a helmet, like the botanic gardens, is off limits to cyclists anyway! Cyclists are forced into the main roads with all the trucks, hoons, boy racers, busses etc. I’ll wear my helmet thankyou very much!
Brad

Give me your address so I can come around to your house and ram your head into the road over and over and see if you still think it’s cool NOT to wear a helmet.

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

Really brad_serls@yahoo.com.au? Are personal threats the only way you can contribute to this debate?

If you’ve even bothered to read past the first word on any page of this site, you’d see that we strongly support people’s choice to wear a helmet if they want to. That’s why its called helmet FREEDOM. What we are against is a law forcing all cyclists to wear a helmet in every circumstance.

But I guess you only do something sensible if there is a law telling you to do it eh?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=670767609 Vanessa Tylman

:p Brad Serls!

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

And brad, if you would like to pop by for a chat, my address is 58 Hyacinth Street, Inala QLD 4077. Pop by anytime.
http://www.facebook.com/julian.somosi Julian Yogi Somosi

Brad, Not Cool.
Wear a helmet by choice not by LAW of a nanny state.
NoHelmets

Brad, it looks like your head has been rammed a few times allready.

ZALLLi

i dont like the helmet laws and personally it has stopped me from wearing a helmet.
Analdeathgrindcoremayhem

I’m down for this. Will be sending letters regularly.

HELMETS ARE GOOD. HELMET LAWS ARE BAD.
Youdaleg

Realistically there is already choice as helmet laws are rarely enforced. I think they probably should be. There are several issues, the main one being the aggressiveness of Australian drivers. They don’t like to share. I’ve cycled in many countries and it’s worst here; worse even than Hong Kong and their reputation isn’t good. Northern European drivers are polite & considerate of cyclists so there are fewer accidents. It’s all very well to say that you are a careful cyclist but that doesn’t take into account all the other idiots on the road & what they are likely to do to you. A helmet will likely help. You also have a social obligation to make effort to minimise any risk of damage. There is no good reason why I should have to share in your medical bills and ongoing care if you haven’t tried.

http://dave.kinkead.com.au Dave Kinkead

Given that your concern is about aggressive motorists, do you then support NT style exemptions for parks & bike paths?

And when it comes to aggressive drivers, have you ever been to London or New York? Their rates of head injuries are no worse than ours yet they don’t have helmet laws. Incidentally, London just had 8 million trips on their bike share, no helmet laws, not a single serious head injury.
Geoff McLeod

I guess you’re okay with sharing the $21billion in medical bills for obesity-related illness, helped by sedentary lifestyles and lagging active transport participation. As far as traffic goes, Australia is no different to other countries, however, our paranoia shines above the rest. Yes, I have been around the world too! It’s taken us 20 years to get to the point where people are so put off cycling that most people no longer even consider riding a bike with their kids on a regular basis. As a parent I know this. My children are only part of a small few who actually know how to ride a bike and who’s parents bother to let them ride their bikes around the neighbourhood. They are 6 and 9 years old. Furthermore, 98% of the world thinks riding with or without a helmet is still setting a good example.

Tony A

It is good to see an organised and concerted effort to repeal these laws. People in Australia have been duped into thinking that providing a safe environment for cycling is as simple as slapping on a helmet. Unfortunately, it has led to a bunch of poor outcomes. Cycling safety is very much a case of “safety in numbers” and the reduction in cycling participation alone has more than destroyed any benefit that wear helmets could provide. Add to that the lack of expenditure for safe cycling infrastructure and there is no wonder cycling in Australia is miles behind most of Europe.
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Tim Burns

Great job guys. I am really pleased that you have established this site. I have been cycling in Australia without a helmet for forty-five years and have been annoyed by the law since its introduction. After twenty years of “testing” this law, our government should acknowledge that it is clearly not working. The main achievement has been to create a generation of people who think that cycling is a dangerous activity. Now that the various bicycle sharing schemes are rolling out in major cities around the world I think Australia is at a turning point. The livability of our cities and the health of our nation is at risk. The Australian versions of these schemes have performed so poorly that perhaps now is the time for our government to realise that the helmet laws do not benefit our society. I will be writing some letters.

Geoff McLeod

Thanks Tim. If we all keep the pressure on, they’ll have to take notice.

Mike Joyce

I am really concerned by the hate people have for this initiative. They seem to like the Nanny state and want to drive their values on everyone else. Very disturbing and this probably does not stop with helmet laws. It really is time to fight back and say enough is enough, helmet laws maybe the first cab of the rank but, certainly not the last. these people need to be told to step back and let the majority of sound minded people determine their own lives.
Say no to the Nanny state and say no to loosing our freedom of choice. It is our choice. I ride and when it is appropriate, (my choice) i do not wear a helmet and to be honest if i get a ticket big deal, i will pay and continue leading my life. my choice.
To the person who wants to hit somebody, really get a life.
Luke0ut

Just got back from 3 months in Berlin. Utilitarian cycling with 3 million others – never felt more freedom or independance. Next step is to invest in a cycling lane network (hub and spoke around parks and shopping precincts). Bike lanes always seem to end when they come too close to traffic.
Great initiative you’ve got my support.
Debbie

I agree helmet laws are stupid. I for one will not ride a bicycle. I spend time in the morning to do my hair for work, and am not about to have it messed up or put up with the sweatiness of the helmet on it. Do away with the law and I too will ride a bike to work.

I agree with a petition on the website, it would make it a lot easier.
Elly D

Having blacked out (fainted) and landed on concrete, I sustained a brain injury that had me in intensive care for 5 days, off work and doing rehabilitation for 3 month. I have short term word finding problems as a result and permanent word finding and hearing loss. And this was only from passing out and landing on concrete. Could you imagine to add speed or an alternate force like an oncoming car.
If I had a helmet, my skull would not have fractured.
You are an absolute bunch of idiots if you think that removing a helmet form someones head would improve the quality of cycling, what it would do is unnecessarily risk lives.

Paul

“Having blacked out (fainted) and landed on concrete, I sustained a brain injury that had me in intensive care for 5 days, off work and doing rehabilitation for 3 month. I have short term word finding problems as a result and permanent word finding and hearing loss. And this was only from passing out and landing on concrete.”
And why weren’t you wearing a helmet? You knew there was a risk in walking and fainting and you still were an idiot and unnecessarily risked your own life. Shame on you.”Could you imagine to add speed or an alternate force like an oncoming car. If I had a helmet, my skull would not have fractured.”You think a helmet is going to help if you are hit by a car? There’s a good chance, if a car at speed hit you on a bike while wearing a helmet, your helmet would prevented concussion it’s true, but the head could quite possibly be looking at it’s torso down the road - http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NmVLDTmC7mU/TA-NDIKgHXI/AAAAAAAAAsE/VtHm7J5gR2c/s1600/volvo_helmet.jpg ”You are an absolute bunch of idiots if you think that removing a helmet form someones head would improve the quality of cycling, what it would do is unnecessarily risk lives.” Wouldn’t you agree that if we were all to wear full face race helmets all the time while walking, the rates of deaths/injuries in fainting accidents would dramatically drop? If you are so concerned about bike helmets, why don’t you include helmets for walkers?Why do you think the Dutch (which is the # 1 cycling country) don’t make it law to wear helmets if it was such a great idea? Because they have done studies that show that if they brought in MHL, less people would cycle, more would drive, accidents between cyclists and cars would increase and less money would be spent on bicycle infrastructure because less people would be using it further making it less attractive to cycle….. the downward spiral goes on until you have the situation we have in Australia. And here we are, with less than 1% of trips done on a bike (Holland is around 30%) and telling the World, “Wear helmets, it saves lives….. copy us!” Who’s the idiots? We are.

Hanksinatra

It is always interesting in MHL discussions the percentage of pro MHL people base their expertise on upon the fact that they have suffered serious brain injury or concussion.
Hanksinatra

It is always interesting in MHL discussions the percentage of pro MHL people base their expertise on upon the fact that they have suffered serious brain injury or concussion.
Hanksinatra

It is always interesting in MHL discussions the percentage of pro MHL people base their expertise on upon the fact that they have suffered serious brain injury or concussion.
Ali

I’m really glad that you are doing this! Thank you. I first looked at your site a few weeks ago, and in the interim weeks I have missed some things and the voting has closed. Can I subscribe to be updated when you put something new on your site?
Kelly

Have you thought of introducing a certain place where people can choose?? I live on Bribie Island and it’s a perfect place to introduce “Helmet Choice”. We have ample bike paths and even a bike hire place on the esplanade. With many cyclists around already, I think this would increase the bike riding population. Traffic is certainly not as busy as in the city and with so many holiday makers I think it might be worth a try.
What do you think??

http://twitter.com/TurnerLukeJ Luke Turner

This is a good idea. The major difficulty would be that because helmet laws are state laws, not local council laws, this would still require an amendment to the road rules from the Qld parliament. However this doesn’t make it impossible – there are already exemptions in the legislation for things like paying passengers on pedicabs.

If you haven’t already I’d encourage you to write to your state member of parliament and local councillor with this suggestion for Bribie Island.

Politicians will only act if they understand that choice on helmet use is something that many people care about – we have to let them know and keep the pressure up. The issue has already caught the attention of the transport minister in Qld, so the message is starting to get through.

Kelly

Why not introduce ‘Helmet Freedom’ to a particular area to start with? We all know governments can’t be rushed! Bribie Island would be the perfect place. There are plenty of bike paths, less traffic and many cyclists already. I believe that freedom of choice would see an increase of local cyclists (and holiday makers) popping down to the local supermarkets to pick up a few items, or cruising along the many beachfronts available. Bring back the carefree (and lycra free) days of bike riding! Sunhats, Sandals and Sundresses
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kyle-Zheng/100002757931025 Kyle Zheng

Here, http://cityinaction.wordpress.com/helmet-freedom/ I’m trying to start my own campaign in British Columbia, Canada. I fully support ‘Helmet Freedom’, and I hope my letter a week to the government can do some good.

http://twitter.com/TurnerLukeJ Luke Turner

Kyle, nice work getting something started in BC. I had a look at your blog, but the links to the correspondence didn’t work.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Kyle-Zheng/100002757931025 Kyle Zheng

Thanks for the tip, luke. It works fine when I’m logged in, but I fixed the problem now. Thanks again.

Adam

So….writing letters, while a good first step, does nothing because there’s no accountability or peer visibility. Most letters get pretty much ignored by members (or that’s been my experience anyway)….at best you get back some form letter put together by a junior staffer.

Maybe a public day of civil disobedience. I’m guessing 1000 helmet-less riders crossing the gateway with a stream of p#$%ed off drivers behind them would get the country talking about these laws…..with all the cycling clubs in SE Queensland that could probably be hooked up.

Or if not the gateway (which is a bit harsh I admit), maybe just through Brisbane…..at peak hour?
Ben Carew

I ride my bike everyday and do not wear a helmet. I only ride from my flat to the tram stop or to the supermarket etc. I have again been fined by the local police, yet this time I have decided I will not pay. I don’t know what will happen eventually. Last time I didn’t pay I was woken at 9am on Boxing Day by two plain clothed police thugs at my door complaining that I did not pay and summoning me to court. I simply refusing to engage in the process as much as possible and am now willing to go to jail rather than pay the fine.
Lola

Fifteen riders were fined $59 for not wearing helmets, while 14 were fined for running red lights.Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/a-bridge-too-fast-police-target–unsafe–cyclists–but-not-for-speeding-20120307-1uj6c.html#ixzz1oU26KiDRSo it took half a dozen police , a “special operation”, to fine 15 riders. What a waste of taxpayers money!! No helmet law, No fines could be issued. What was the whole point of this exercise?? How many heads were saved??? How many accidents have been here,( or anywhere else??) Does anyone show statistics?? That having this helmet law, actually reduced the injury(ies). I’m not from any political side, but it appears the government and press are just pursuing this type of action to take the attention from REAL issues. Get the POLITICIANS OUT! EDUCATE DON’T REGULATE
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Madbbqskillz

You are a pack of sooks. Why don’t you stay off the road altogether?
Haaedren

If you think it is safe not to wear a helmet… your brain obviously isn’t worth protecting in the first place. The downside is my tax dollars pay to rehabilitate morons like you.

http://twitter.com/TurnerLukeJ Luke Turner

In general it is safe to cycle without a helmet. This is clearly demonstrated by the 98% of the world which do not have helmet laws and do not have a problem with bicycle injuries. The safest place in the world to ride is the Netherlands. They don’t have a helmet law and few people feel the need to wear them, but head injury rates are lower there than here in Australia despite our draconian laws. Other factors are far more important for safety than forcing people to wear helmets.

Of course if you want to wear a helmet at all times that’s perfectly fine, and no-one is suggesting there’s anything wrong with that. It should simply be a matter of personal choice.

As for the complaint about your tax dollars – you’re completely wrong. People who cycle (either with or without helmets) are lightening the burden on the public health system. Cycling is a great form of exercise and a lack of exercise is by far a bigger cause of disease and health spending than cycling traffic accidents.

Dangjoedirt

If you dick head cyclists would stay off the middle of the road then helmets would not have been made mandatory. It’s your own fault, you don’t pay rego, insurance yet you want the roads….. Stop helmet laws, start road education!
Anonymous

I rode my bike every day for 4 months when i lived in Amsterdam without a helmet and managed to dodge cars, trams and tourists with no injuries. I don’t ride my bike here because i don’t want to wear a helmet and i think a lot of people think the same. Thanks for this! I’m glad someones on my side!
http://twitter.com/adriatiq Adrian Anderson

Finally! I remember the law coming in in Qld sometime in the early 90′s when i used to commute to work in town on the bike and i’ve copped a couple of fines; dozens of warnings; and a relentless parade of brainless self righteous people pointing to their heads as i ride by ever since. Funny, NO-ONE ever questioned it before ’91 it was just riding the bike, not a motorbike, not playing Grid Iron, just riding a pushy. Get pushies back on par with skateboarders, scooterers and pedestrians – it’s probably safer than all 3!
..as for Madbbqskillz – must be an RV driving soccer mum for sure. Drop 20kg and the ciggies and buy a pushy do yourself (and the world) a favour.
Gemma

Come on people! Let’s not argue at how dangerous cycling on the road with cars is. I mean let’s not waste time pointing out the obvious that your head will come off second best with a car slamming into you. Whether you are walking, cycling or even roller skating….your bones will obviously crush! However…. I would never personally ride a bike on the road with the traffic because I am not a super keen cycling enthusiast. I have literally no desire to puta myself in that situation whether I have a helmet on my head or not!

I do however have a great desire to pop down to the local store on my bike riding at a slow & enjoyable pace on the foot path to grab some milk and not have to wear a helmet or worry about being fined for not wearing a helmet in an extremely safe situation….safe because I am a responsible adult who rode quietly on the foot path & dismounted from my bike a the traffic lights.

I don’t wish to pull up at the lights like a car as some cyclists to & should be able to do if they like. So why can’t I have rights also to ride on the path as a sensible person using the bike as a hassle free way to pop down to the shop at a quicker pace than walking. There is no 50km

Gemma

….no 50km 4am rides happening here. Just someone why wants to use a bike to quicken up the process to grab some milk. The SOLUTION is simple…..

Cyclists who wish to cycle on main roads with the traffic must wear helmets.
Cyclists who wish to cycle on footpaths or in parks have the right to choose.

Michael

”Do you think the government (or taxpayers like myself) should pay for
your rehabilitation after your head trauma from an accident because you
thought you were too cool to wear a helmet?”

I love how the argument against not wearing helmets is always the cost to those who don’t agree that helmets should be optional.

I don’t smoke but have to pay for treatment in hospitals for smokers
I don’t drink or do drugs but have to pay for hospital treatment when they overdose or are injured and also pay there disability pension
I don’t have or want children but pay baby bonus , child welfare payments , schools

So if i want to ride my bike without a helmet and injure myself then yes you will pay and be happy about it

NoHelmets

Spot on Michael
Will

Would you like to make people wear helmets to do any activity where a person has sustained a head injury? Maybe everyone should wear helmets all the time…. just incase!

Naomi Shearer

I writing from Canada,May 20. 2012, The town of Chilliwack British Coloumbia, My son is loves riding his bike. He is an adult,and was pulled over by the RCMP- police this morning because he was not wearing his helmet, he refused to give his name. when the constable was writing up a ticket, she called for back up and before he knew three more police cars showed up and seven police officers surronded him in a half moon stance. An older officer swore at him, he was threatened with jail time,searched him,told him not to call them if he needed help ever, he was asked if he stold his bicycle, where he bought it. He asked them to show him the law where he had to have a helmet on, he asked them not to use foul language, that he did not have a weapon, he had not been drinking, was not on drugs, he was not using foul language. they told him to look up the law himself
. My problem with this is that it took seven police officers to give my son a ticket, and there behavior was out of control.
So yes the laws on helmets are a disaster.

Mother of son not wearing a helmet.
Naomi Shearer
Colt45fan

maybe people should start going to public pools and stand at the waters edge, and tell everybody to wear water wings and life jacket……..just in case you cramp or somebody whacks you in the face, I mean the sky might fall. Nevermind, the governments legalize death, so, you can kill a baby before it’s born, but, how dare you ride a bike without a helmet. Down with this type of governance around the world.
Colt45fan

so money is the argument? but, everybody is okay with paying politicians such hefty pensions for 8 years of service? I think the choice is that…..a choice. so, next is elevators for the house, because somebody fell down the stairs and died? Your all chicken littles……..the sky could fall!!! the sky could fall! don’t go outside, the sky could fall. we all pay for druggies. we all pay for sick people, but, HOW DARE YOU RIDE and get exercise. BAD HUMAN BEING! gimme a break. nanny state= retarded people who can’t think for themselves.
Raili Simojoki

I like your design but the red looks a bit angry.
Guest

I have both religious/philosophical and medical reasons for not wearing a helmet. First of all I have a surgical scar on my head and neck which causes great physical discomfort when wearing a helmet.

Also, with evidence that helmets can worsen or increase the likelihood of neck injuries in a crash, this presents a major dilemma.

Neck injuries are more survivable, but can often lead to paralysis. Head injuries can kill or cause permanent brain damage. Personally, I would rather be dead than confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life (which would not be long as I would commit suicide if it happens.) If I brain injury leading to a vegetative state, I would not be conscious, per se, so quality of life from my perspective would not be noticeable.

I have a do not resuscitate order, so if I smash my head in after a bike accident, I also have an advance directive ordering doctors not to treat life threatening injuries if the possibility exists that I will be paralyzed or in an vegetative state if I recover. I’m not sure how these laws work in Australia, but where I am, this is necessary.
http://twitter.com/CBDWeb CBDWeb

How about a link to http://www.freestylecyclists.org in this “Action” page?
We need to give the ’000s of people in Australia who want to repeal the law a way to publicly show their opposition!

Pls excuse signed with my company twitter, it’s from @nikdow
http://twitter.com/CBDWeb CBDWeb

You can sign the online petition at http://www.freestylecyclists.org and help to get the law repealed.
simple

I just don’t want to wear a helmet when I’m riding my bike,
simple
http://twitter.com/AceOfTweets Ace M

Hey guys! Please sign & share our petition to repeal Mandatory Helmet legislation!
http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/repeal-mandatory-bicycle-helmet-legislation
sbt

Great that you’ve got this happening folks. Just gota point out that Mike Rann is no longer the premier of SA, it’s now Jay Weatherill. Also there’s a chunk of text in the discussion, on one of these pages, about which countries have helmet laws, where the text has formatted without any spaces. You might want to fix these issues.
Adrian Taylor

Give me the choice to wear a helmet if I want to or not. I understand seat belt laws completely as I know that by not wearing one I can injure myself or my passengers by impacting them with my body in a crash. We are so heavily regulated it’s ridiculous. To all the naysayers, do you also believe PPE should be mandatory in your home garage/backyard/Kitchen? Should skateboarders, rollerbladers and other road users also be forced to wear helmets? Should we force drivers of classic cars and old convertibles to wear helmets as their vehicles don’t have adequate safety equipment or roll over protection? Should we force swimmers to wear flotation devices and helmets for fear of rogue jet skis?
Miki

I’m in shock. Very stupid law. You have to fight for your right and never give up. Best regards from Poland.
Thejohnny1123

Hi, I’m from Poland. I came across your shares from youtube. I’m glad we do not have such an obligation in my country, but sometimes appear in the media “experts” who say that something like this should be put in place. On the other hand, in Poland and several Eastern European countries drivers are required to use during the day in all weather low beam car lights…
Sk8fool731

I ride a skateboard not bike but I too hate the helmet laws, the weight of the helmet disrupts my balance, they are so distracting and annoying, they cause me to sweat more, become disorented, they hurt even more when your head rattles around in them. For an experienced ride like me it is just a pain in the butt. 5051 SA – change the helmet laws!
manfred s

morons who made this law and any other idiots keep away from my head
Ray

There is one item missing from your list of action steps. Disobey! Peaceful Civil Disobedience is a powerful tool. They can fine individuals but if they have to start fining and arresting thousands their laws will be shown as unjust and they will be forced to change or face increasing embarrasment and encourage others to challenge other absurd laws as well.