Change of heart in Queensland?

For all discussions about this "lively" subject. All topics that are substantially about helmet usage will be moved here.
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pwward
Posts: 193
Joined: 12 Jan 2007, 10:48am
Location: Newcastle u Tyne

Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by pwward »

The start of change in Australia? http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/docume ... 9Nov13.pdf (though it's a hefty size).

It summarises:

The Committee is appreciative of the fact that bicycle helmets, that meet national standards and are correctly fitted, provide some protection against head, brain, and facial injuries and is therefore of the view that the use of helmets should be encouraged. However the Committee is not convinced there is sufficient evidence of the safety outcomes of compulsory helmet wearing to justify the mandating of helmet wearing for all cyclists of all ages regardless of the situational risk.

The Committee is concerned that the introduction of mandatory helmet laws may have had an unintended, adverse impact on cycling participation rates in Queensland and therefore the overall health of the state. It also believes there is sufficient evidence provided by the Northern Territory example that a relaxation of mandatory helmet laws in lower risk situations (such as cycling on footpaths and on dedicated cycle paths), does not inevitably reduce the safety of cycling.
The Committee is therefore of the view that relaxing mandatory helmet laws in specific circumstances is likely to increase cycling participation rates with a range of associated health benefits and economic benefits in tourism areas. The Committee also believes that a relaxation of mandatory helmet laws may assist in normalising the perception of cyclists by motorists.
The Committee is therefore making a number of recommendations regarding relaxation of the mandatory helmet laws in specific circumstances.
The Committee is aware that police enforcement of helmet wearing by children is hampered by the fact that the children are not able to pay the fine and their parents have no legal responsibility to pay the fine on their behalf. The Committee believes parents should be responsible for ensuring their children wear helmets and should therefore be responsible for paying any fine their child incurs.
The Committee notes that a similar provision is currently contained in Schedule 9 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Driver Licensing) Regulation 2010 Part 4-14 which states that a driver of a vehicle failing to ensure a passenger at least 16 years wears a seat belt (without an excuse) is subject to a demerit point penalty and fine.

Recommendation 15
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Transport and Main Roads:
• introduce a 24 month trial which exempts cyclists aged 16 years and over from the mandatory helmet road rule when riding in parks, on footpaths and shared/cycle paths and on roads with a speed limit of 60 km/hr or less and
• develop an evaluation strategy for the trial which includes baseline measurements and data collection (for example through the CityCycle Scheme) so that an assessment can be made which measures the effect and proves any benefits.
Adam S
Posts: 606
Joined: 15 Nov 2012, 8:53pm

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by Adam S »

The Committee recommends that the Minister for Transport and Main Roads:
• introduce a 24 month trial which exempts cyclists aged 16 years and over from the mandatory helmet road rule when riding in parks, on footpaths and shared/cycle paths and on roads with a speed limit of 60 km/hr or less

So nearly all the situations where a helmet is designed to be of use then? Surely they don't think a helmet will be any use when hit by a motor vehicle travelling at 40mph+
snibgo
Posts: 4604
Joined: 29 Jun 2010, 4:45am

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by snibgo »

Very interesting report. They recommend allowing cyclists to turn left through red lights.
AlaninWales
Posts: 1626
Joined: 26 Oct 2012, 1:47pm

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by AlaninWales »

Adam S wrote:
The Committee recommends that the Minister for Transport and Main Roads:
• introduce a 24 month trial which exempts cyclists aged 16 years and over from the mandatory helmet road rule when riding in parks, on footpaths and shared/cycle paths and on roads with a speed limit of 60 km/hr or less

So nearly all the situations where a helmet is designed to be of use then? Surely they don't think a helmet will be any use when hit by a motor vehicle travelling at 40mph+

:lol: :lol: :lol: That was the first thing that struck me too! An attempt to backtrack because they are being shown to be fools by all the evidence (so much that they are used by anti-compulsion campaigners worldwide as an example of how wrong legislators can get it) ... but as with all such attempts by the arrogant to dig themselves out of a hole, they dig themselves deeper by wanting a situation where they can claimthey were right; so they choose the situation where they are most obviously wrong!

They need Boris back, to teach them how and where to throw dead cats :twisted: .
broadway
Posts: 788
Joined: 9 Mar 2010, 1:49pm
Location: Cheshire

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by broadway »

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/quee ... 6770826919


"QUEENSLAND drivers will soon have to stay at least one metre from any cyclist on the road - but State Transport Minister Scott Emerson says he is against changing current helmet laws."

"But Mr Emerson says he is "yet to be convinced" that removing mandatory helmet requirements on bike paths and in 60km/h or less zones is a good idea.

"Helmets have saved my noggin many times," he said."

Maybe he should learn how to ride a bike !
TonyR
Posts: 5390
Joined: 31 Aug 2008, 12:51pm

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by TonyR »

Adam S wrote:So nearly all the situations where a helmet is designed to be of use then? Surely they don't think a helmet will be any use when hit by a motor vehicle travelling at 40mph+


The Hungarian approach. Their helmet law requires you to wear one only if going over 50kph.
AlaninWales
Posts: 1626
Joined: 26 Oct 2012, 1:47pm

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by AlaninWales »

Completely OT, I followed those links and found http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/quee ... 6771403219
Geriatrix
Posts: 1855
Joined: 23 Oct 2007, 1:33pm
Location: Caterham

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by Geriatrix »

snibgo wrote:Very interesting report. They recommend allowing cyclists to turn left through red lights.

Common practice in many countries - (or filter right on the continent). I wish they would allow it here.
For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled - Richard Feynman
Geriatrix
Posts: 1855
Joined: 23 Oct 2007, 1:33pm
Location: Caterham

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by Geriatrix »

broadway wrote:http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-cyclists-to-get-1m-clearance-on-roads-permission-to-ride-without-helmets-under-proposed-laws/story-fnihsrf2-1226770826919


"QUEENSLAND drivers will soon have to stay at least one metre from any cyclist on the road - but State Transport Minister Scott Emerson says he is against changing current helmet laws."

"But Mr Emerson says he is "yet to be convinced" that removing mandatory helmet requirements on bike paths and in 60km/h or less zones is a good idea.

"Helmets have saved my noggin many times," he said."

Maybe he should learn how to ride a bike !

He's doing something seriously wrong if it has saved him many times but I suspect that like almost all anecdotes, he's indulging in a bit of hyperbole. I haven't hit my head once from a cycling fall and I bet I do many more miles than him.

If he hit his head from slipping in the shower (a fairly common cause of head trauma) I wonder if he would shower with a helmet?
For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled - Richard Feynman
Steady rider
Posts: 2749
Joined: 4 Jan 2009, 4:31pm

Re: Change of heart in Queensland?

Post by Steady rider »

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/quee ... 5827618951
7500 fines per year,

Hire scheme failed

Inquiry into Cycling Issues Dissenting report
Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee 173
Dissenting report
DESLEY SCOTT MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR

“Recommendation 16
It is clear that recommendation 16 is designed solely to boost usage of Brisbane City
Council’s failed ‘CityCycle’ bicycle hire scheme.
The CityCycle scheme was introduced by then Lord Mayor Newman and still struggles to
attract users. Recommendation 16 is therefore a politically motivated attempt to rectify the
Premier’s past record of failure from his tenure as Lord Mayor. The City Cycle program has
cost ratepayers $14 million over the last 4 years, almost ten times the original budget, and
has failed to attract significant levels of usage.”

Cycle to work reduced
http://cyclehelmets.org/1194.html

Cycling to work in Queensland Census data
.....................................1976... 1981...... 1986.... 1991.... 1996.... 2001... 2006... 2011
....................................1.55%... 2.20%.... 2.40%... 2.56%... 1.84%... 1.65%... 1.41%... 1.31%
% reduction from 1991.................................................... 28%....... 36%..... 45%..... 49%

Heath of population reduced, see http://www.health.qld.gov.au/cho_report ... report.pdf
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