'It puts some people off' – advocates say cyclists should be able to ride without helmets

Some cycling advocates state making helmets optional would get more individuals biking and increase public health, however critics state that opens them up for brain trauma. Biking Action stated the other day that they concur helmets are the best choice, but desire the law evaluated. Speaking this morning to TVNZ 1’s Breakfast programme, Option Cycling’s representative Lisa Clist said there are various designs of bike riding, from casual to high speed, and the law doesn’t recognise that. “In some cases you’re going through a park, you’re going at running speed, but that’s unlawful (not to use a helmet),” Ms Clist stated She said cycling rates cut in half when helmets were made compulsory in New Zealand, and that eliminating the restriction would get more people “out there being active and healthy”. Ms Clist agreed that it was much safer to use a helmet, but argued that a sedentary lifestyle resulting in cardiovascular disease was more harmful. “What if there were some incredible activity that you could utilize to combat that in your life – that’s biking.” Figures reveal 18 individuals died while riding bikes on New Zealand roadways last year, and brain injury specialist Kathryn Jones of the Laura Ferguson Trust states the threat of injury while riding a bike without a helmet is much higher. “Not using a helmet when you’re biking can cause a far more severe and traumatic brain injury,” Ms Jones said. “Within our serious brain injury unit, about eight percent of clients that have actually come through have been bicyclists. “Sound judgment dominates – if your head hits the pavement at force … a helmet will offer some defense. Entrepreneur state it will likely include more vehicles to the street, hindering parking and increasing blockage.

Last year, officials cut the ribbon across the city’s first and just one-way secured bike lane. The opening of the 1.1-mile artery, which stretches east along Chestnut Street in between 45th and 34th Streets, was not without debate. After 6 years of intensive preparation and careful neighborhood argument, the city councilwoman who approved (an …