tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28780240901872915632024-03-13T10:10:22.656-07:00The Bike Helmet BlogBringing balance to the bike helmet discussion.Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-35554050770229800212022-02-08T20:05:00.001-07:002022-02-08T20:07:23.348-07:00Why I Don't Wear a Bicycle Helmet<p><br />Here's a fun and well done <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkyaDB3zGRM" target="_blank">video </a>by one of New York's most well-known cyclists. He covers the basics of the bike helmet concern, but in a personal way that I hope just about anyone will be able to relate to. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkyaDB3zGRM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="942" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN00uLICzQ_5BJU14lpBki3O223ZfOopM34xjYcMqwfBiYPjB85Wpny3QS8aY47sDoQ4Xo85gguK5bs37sMN1QWQH896PzqOZQoDLSkDpuPfnMhgCinTS394eF82BHiAAcV8aOXFpndnKE6vW_USnj6l9IDz9NdkTlNHHGkVIMyUTY3F89jR0lTwoQcw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-83245789409600450832021-11-07T23:19:00.002-07:002021-11-07T23:19:44.536-07:00The Big Bike Helmet Debate<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbBah3y_ENuZu51kF8oqe0px7EA9qYvjuXq8XeFMhH918J-ji_YBCpgIXonrV3XJGQu_BsY90n7CoDgkz8shOqJ3V4_ByvffI1mzDIB5tixNRboMMgxv3WjCl5Xljxk26VenNW67-nO8K/s636/Big+Bike+Helmet+Debate.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="633" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbBah3y_ENuZu51kF8oqe0px7EA9qYvjuXq8XeFMhH918J-ji_YBCpgIXonrV3XJGQu_BsY90n7CoDgkz8shOqJ3V4_ByvffI1mzDIB5tixNRboMMgxv3WjCl5Xljxk26VenNW67-nO8K/s320/Big+Bike+Helmet+Debate.png" width="318" /></a></div><br />Today I found a refreshing article that shows the
waste of energy spent on trying to force cyclists to wear helmets and why that
energy should be focused instead on making streets safer for cycling.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here’s a fun excerpt:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s more or less what the infamous helmet debate
has become,” Hussey lamented. “Shouty strangers shouting at other shouty
strangers for choices that don’t affect the first shouty stranger’s life. It’s
a bit weird, definitely a waste of energy, and not a fun place for cyclists to
share space in.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Boardman noted, in the Netherlands, perhaps the
least perilous country for cyclists in the world, helmets and hi-vis are almost
unknown. You don’t make cycling safe by obliging every rider to dress up as if
for urban warfare. You do it by creating a road system that insulates them from
fast-moving and unpredictable road traffic.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Read the full article here:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/21/bike-helmet-cyclists-safe-urban-warfare-wheels">The
Guardian "The big bike helmet debate: 'You don’t make it safe by forcing
cyclists to dress for urban warfare'"</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-17303741557767971352021-03-05T20:53:00.000-07:002021-03-05T20:53:51.130-07:00Public Outcry Against Seattle’s Bike Helmet Law<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQSfLd2ynlYhjAdXsC0l8pqapBlaoLSwYi0aCnknENrYUon3yoZ6ThNHqzH3HvOlFLD5Sib_HlBXduISbY57FiQd_-eCdzkoKBe2EIgRYlXmfeqomwQYTFHR2G_j_tI2rweVT4YkrriE9/s1240/Seattle+racial+disparity+bike+tickets.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQSfLd2ynlYhjAdXsC0l8pqapBlaoLSwYi0aCnknENrYUon3yoZ6ThNHqzH3HvOlFLD5Sib_HlBXduISbY57FiQd_-eCdzkoKBe2EIgRYlXmfeqomwQYTFHR2G_j_tI2rweVT4YkrriE9/s320/Seattle+racial+disparity+bike+tickets.png" width="320" /></a></div>Seattle’s bicycle helmet law has been an unyielding
blemish on the U.S. bike advocacy effort for decades. No data comparisons, no
results from other parts of the world showing the <a href="https://www.bikehelmetblog.com/2018/02/the-damage-done-by-americas-bike-helmet.html">damage
done by these laws</a>, no pleas from local cyclists could budge lawmakers to
even consider repealing it.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, a new study showing outrageous disparities in
who police target for bike tickets has brought the law up for potential repeal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here are a few good articles about this impressive
change in attitude:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Crosscut - <a href="https://crosscut.com/news/2021/02/king-county-reexamine-decades-old-bicyclist-helmet-law">King
County to reexamine decades-old bicyclist helmet law</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bicycle Retailer & Industry News - <a href="https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2021/02/23/advocacy-groups-release-data-showing-inequity-bicycle-helmet-laws">Cycling
groups call for an end to helmet laws</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cascade Bicycle Club - <a href="https://cascade.org/blog/2021/02/cascade-and-washington-bikes-support-decriminalizing-helmet-use">Cascade
and Washington Bikes Support Decriminalizing Helmet Use</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s keep an eye on this effort. If Seattle, and
surrounding King County, repeal this of all bike helmet laws, some more dominos
could fall. I’m cheering!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sue</p>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-51774581637804854422020-12-18T14:09:00.000-07:002020-12-18T14:09:34.787-07:00Please Help Bosnian Campaigns Succeed<p>As I posted on this blog in March 2017, Bosnian activists
were some of the first in the world to successfully campaign to repeal a bicycle
helmet law. Now, activists there need your help.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the past four years, I have had the honor of working
with activists in this war-battered country. Along with my colleagues at the
Center for Environment (CfE), our partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), we
have guided activists from all over BiH to improve their communities through
bicycling and environmental campaigns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/help-bosnian-campaigns-succeed" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8SIsacQx2Dl6uJZrkjqoJ9y-96d-y02y2RBqz0sHFRT9u05DJKWk6lgamExMuLNnBx8vCWlAnzaemVcFxHU-EnaLmI3jQ_eOtN_jAc_E429Xqysye2q83gik0QiD593ht-rwq56a3E3D/s320/GoFundMe+BiH+for+home+page.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now the project needs many people to step up and help. Our
funder for the project could only provide half of the funds we need for the
next phase of the project. So we launched a <a href="https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/help-bosnian-campaigns-succeed">GoFundMe
Charity fundraiser</a> to fill the gap – please donate and share the link.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The war ended 25 years ago and in its shadow, corruption,
despair and poverty have thrived. People are still leaving, but not these
activists. They are fighting back by causing positive change. These are the
toughest and most committed activists I have ever worked with. Let’s show them
we appreciate their commitment to creating a country they are proud of, where all
Bosnians can choose to bicycle, where they would like to live and raise their
families.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We need your help to
make this happen</b>. Even small donations add up toward our goal. Your
donations are tax-deductible.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please also invite others to donate by sharing and
forwarding the GoFundMe Charity page. Thank you!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sue<o:p></o:p></p>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-90118532500941817282020-09-12T15:54:00.002-07:002020-09-12T15:56:12.932-07:00Tacoma Repeals Bike Helmet Law<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://road.cc/content/news/us-city-repeal-compulsory-bike-helmet-law-275323" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="668" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSw4ANtIvYLwVH4KXkA0nzNDnoxxJZgRhyphenhyphengtdvDDA7KPqVKt0bEnoHPp5Q33N8olD3wAOvgKmU_rlPsnvtZYmA6ATt1E3gXUFCSQpk57UaUYfKGBS6fOCHFuJHaeMaaA6_gtNh-iFhSB-/s320/Tacoma-helmet-law-repeal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> As readers of this blog know all too well, once a bicycle helmet law has been passed, it is next to impossible to have it repealed. Law makers wipe their hands of the concern, blame is now on the bicyclists, so they simply will not discuss it. That is why any repeal of such a law is a reason for celebration. So sound the horns and lift a glass to Tacoma, Washington - well done! <a href="https://road.cc/content/news/us-city-repeal-compulsory-bike-helmet-law-275323" target="_blank">Read the story here</a>.<p></p>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-73734258065743242292019-11-14T11:26:00.000-07:002019-11-14T11:26:28.693-07:00Bicycle Helmets Increase Risk of Injury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5FiSOdCXE7laIHyB9rN48MaA5OLue2_Yt7JhmMnh4VvBcXdu-hveX0XsW3ai4Po4ADh8tcZeIC8KS_06C0GypYJGmY4rGvJ7R2E0ObgMpmuPFEOp2KV8Xf0STmzg0vkDJkJe7fSF98ZT/s1600/Helmets+increase+risk.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="503" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5FiSOdCXE7laIHyB9rN48MaA5OLue2_Yt7JhmMnh4VvBcXdu-hveX0XsW3ai4Po4ADh8tcZeIC8KS_06C0GypYJGmY4rGvJ7R2E0ObgMpmuPFEOp2KV8Xf0STmzg0vkDJkJe7fSF98ZT/s320/Helmets+increase+risk.png" width="270" /></a></div>
Here's an interesting new study that shows a clear increase in injuries as bicycle helmet wearing increases. From the article:<br />
<br />
New research suggests that wearing a helmet may put cyclists more at risk of being injured in a road traffic collision.<br />
<br />
The findings are set out in a paper entitled Effects of bicycle helmet wearing on accident and injury rates presented at this week’s National Road Safety Conference in Telford(link is external).<br />
<br />
Former Cycling UK councillor Colin Clarke and author and journalist Chris Gillham analysed overall changes in accident risk with increased helmet wearing.<br />
<br />
They looked at data from Australia and New Zealand, both of which have nationwide mandatory helmet laws, the US and Canada, where compulsion is widespread particularly for children but laws vary in local jurisdictions, and the UK, where there is no legal requirement to wear one.<br />
<br />
Summarising their findings, they said: “Bicycle helmet wearing globally has increased over the past 30 years via promotion and in some cases legislation.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://road.cc/content/news/268605-wearing-cycle-helmet-may-increase-risk-injury-says-new-research" target="_blank">Read the rest of the article here</a>.Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-32266554572385002642019-07-07T14:20:00.000-07:002019-07-07T14:20:54.406-07:00Images with Sport Clothing and Helmets Deter People from Cycling<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFIAYQ71-5bgSPglw2iqCbBnD8ECJx1D0CLhsYyIPCfMtGu_HjgC1sjDZuasNvh9UoSnJcpOTNPz-OBinNwP6tiygha1sxtPJP5M09RxMkn6ogeCe9dzUZ3KRfsMNSVJXz5JFj9zpCx0C/s1600/cyclist+decked+out+in+safety+gear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFIAYQ71-5bgSPglw2iqCbBnD8ECJx1D0CLhsYyIPCfMtGu_HjgC1sjDZuasNvh9UoSnJcpOTNPz-OBinNwP6tiygha1sxtPJP5M09RxMkn6ogeCe9dzUZ3KRfsMNSVJXz5JFj9zpCx0C/s320/cyclist+decked+out+in+safety+gear.jpg" width="202" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317014783_The_Silent_Message_Multimedia_Communication_and_Barriers_to_Cycling_Uptake">A
study</a> presented at the Velo-city conference in Dublin last month reveals
that people from varied backgrounds connect bike helmets and sport clothing to
higher danger in cycling. Shown pictures of cyclists with and without helmets,
the majority set the helmeted cyclist out as in greater danger than the cyclist
riding without a helmet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This finding is very important to programs aiming to
increase bicycling because it shows the negative effect of using images of
cyclists decked out in safety gear. If we expect to make cycling a normal means
of moving around our communities, we must choose images of cyclists wearing regular
clothing, without helmets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is the abstract from the study: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“In Road Safety Authority Ireland print and video
artefacts, cyclists are as a rule depicted in high visibility clothing also
suitable for sport, and a helmet. Four studies relevant to the Irish context
identify fear as a primary barrier to cycling uptake, including the conviction
cycling is socially unacceptable. Cycling advocates argue the depiction of
cyclists as described reinforces these fears. To investigate whether their
concern is valid, I conducted interviews and a card sorting exercise. The results
indicate that depicting cyclists as described reinforces the perception that
cycling is dangerous and socially unacceptable. Responses were consistent
across gender groups, and two age groups (under thirty and over thirty).
Depiction of cyclists in clothing currently the norm in road safety multimedia
reinforces barriers to cycling uptake. Alternative clothing, which still comply
with safety recommendations, should be considered.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Read the entire study <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317014783_The_Silent_Message_Multimedia_Communication_and_Barriers_to_Cycling_Uptake">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Watch a video of the presentation <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL_QQTxKZy4&feature=youtu.be">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-50485619778766655072019-06-04T13:07:00.000-07:002019-06-04T13:07:52.665-07:00Aggressive Drivers See Cyclists as ‘Less than Human’ Especially with Helmets<a href="https://usa.streetsblog.org/2019/03/28/study-aggressive-driving-is-linked-to-seeing-cyclists-as-less-than-human/" target="_blank">This recent article</a> summarizing a new study reveals disturbing attitudes toward cyclists. Many people in the study actually saw cyclists as less than human, which justified their aggressive driving behavior. Sometimes they justified their behavior to the point of doing harming to cyclists.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEIegW6F7kFEFny7kqMCO_OOWdW9zWFiSiF5U6_sfZWcroEBJPL0MKnEcumljUjrU4Q5OPgfAF-mJzt_YQYpRJnDYnqV4iptTEqT7zu71ZFGLgUBMAAUBZoKUoGi8gSYWwO-znj6pBSNW/s1600/Dehumanization+scale.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="494" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEIegW6F7kFEFny7kqMCO_OOWdW9zWFiSiF5U6_sfZWcroEBJPL0MKnEcumljUjrU4Q5OPgfAF-mJzt_YQYpRJnDYnqV4iptTEqT7zu71ZFGLgUBMAAUBZoKUoGi8gSYWwO-znj6pBSNW/s320/Dehumanization+scale.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Comments during the study so often referred to cyclists as insects that the researchers had to create a new evolution chart using insects so that subjects could point to where they believed cyclists fell.<br />
<br />
The final paragraph of the article reveals a disturbing link to bicycle helmets:<br />
<br />
"The research team did not make specific recommendations about how to improve public attitudes toward cyclists. But they did speculate that Australia’s mandatory helmet law may contribute to the problem by obscuring riders heads and faces. Riding “uniforms,” kits and Spandex, may further contribute to the “othering” of cyclists."<br />
<br />
Read the article here: <a href="https://usa.streetsblog.org/2019/03/28/study-aggressive-driving-is-linked-to-seeing-cyclists-as-less-than-human/">https://usa.streetsblog.org/2019/03/28/study-aggressive-driving-is-linked-to-seeing-cyclists-as-less-than-human/</a>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-16813571544184700182018-10-24T22:11:00.000-07:002018-10-24T22:11:36.236-07:00Motoring Helmets Don’t Sell, So Why the Bike Helmet Hysteria?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqMOtHduZRyNAZyG0aVkRcTED_sLFSTqmY5FDSsbUw3CVo2h4nAn0w1d1G6-blfjPZYK4BOPjDg_Y22ECdmpvmAT1glPZNeCGn76Xefay7e6eW9xWqfTj0To-g19IYFJPI1u3fubE7AFN/s1600/Motoring+helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqMOtHduZRyNAZyG0aVkRcTED_sLFSTqmY5FDSsbUw3CVo2h4nAn0w1d1G6-blfjPZYK4BOPjDg_Y22ECdmpvmAT1glPZNeCGn76Xefay7e6eW9xWqfTj0To-g19IYFJPI1u3fubE7AFN/s320/Motoring+helmet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The data are clear. People in motorized vehicles suffer
far more head injuries then bicyclists. <a href="https://www.onestreet.org/resources-for-increasing-bicycling/136-bicycle-helmets">Find
just a few of the charts available here</a>. Over my many years of pushing back
against overzealous bike helmet promotions, I’ve enjoyed suggestions by
level-headed people that car occupants should wear helmets before any more bike
helmet promotions or laws are allowed. That was always an amusing and soothing
concept for me. But I had no idea that motoring helmets were ever actually
manufactured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2018/10/21/i-do-not-wear-a-bicycle-helmet/#c71be4178485">This
recent article in Forbes</a> by Carlton Reid, a very level-headed author and
bike advocate, reveals the stunning attempt by an entrepreneurial car parts
manufacturer to sell motorists on the safety of wearing their helmet while in a
motorized vehicle. Over three years, they sold a paltry 500 helmets. Carlton
actually found one of those 500 and bought it on eBay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every selling point they made matches the points used
by bike helmet pushers. And they had so much more evidence backing their
claims. So why has our society worldwide, with rare exceptions like the
Netherlands, bought into the bike helmet hysteria so blindly? My thought while
reading the article was that the car industry was never silly enough to push
motoring helmets. Come on, why would they make their product seem dangerous?
Duh. But wait, the bike industry readily pushes bike helmets. Doh!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Carlton’s article is a great read for many other
reasons beyond the motoring helmets. Enjoy. But really, someone actually made a
motoring helmet? And it did not sell. That is a whole new data point for me.
Thanks Carlton.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sue</span></div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-73003088448457371662018-05-31T11:44:00.000-07:002018-05-31T11:44:33.449-07:00Why Forcing Cyclists to Wear Helmets Will Not Save Lives<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/video/2018/may/31/why-forcing-cyclists-to-wear-helmets-will-not-save-lives-video-explainer" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="519" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXJv1uEhfM7ajI7DXGIR7nIS2m34izN0-BMjpGtk9A4MkjLhwDm2OscUDzD3q4n-kY-r79I_c8DEB4RX-hcFb_FGig2zXeUbW7wkK_neVClhcVVtxvMBzdFtDG_QUjgcrnZlFXmZWG6h4/s320/Why+Forcing+Cyclists+to+Wear+Helmets....png" width="306" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over the years, there have been noteworthy attempts by
journalists and media channels to capture the <a href="https://www.onestreet.org/resources-for-increasing-bicycling/136-bicycle-helmets">problem
with bicycle helmets</a>. Most will fixate on one particular element of the
problem such as scaring people away from cycling or police harassment. Others
will make a gallant effort to touch on all the concerns, usually in list form.
Unfortunately, the one thing that most of these articles, news clips, and
videos have in common is a concluding plea for cyclists to always wear a helmet,
as if they hadn’t paid attention to what they had just presented.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I was pleased to find an exception to this rule.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/video/2018/may/31/why-forcing-cyclists-to-wear-helmets-will-not-save-lives-video-explainer">This
video from the Guardian</a> does a good job of explaining a few of the main
concerns about bicycle helmets. But most importantly, it ends with the very
real point that car occupants suffer far more head injuries than cyclists. The
final plea is not for cyclists to wear helmets, but for car occupants to clad
their heads in Styrofoam instead. Well done!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sue</div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-74850808729204130482018-02-24T19:17:00.000-07:002018-02-24T19:17:12.890-07:00The Damage Done by America’s Bike Helmet Fixation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95QBfMkta9LHk_Zr9mvpsdkL5h23B0-8Iv2sEQ1kVZLIAsBZjcoHBUTzkfrhlbouSEO3Y7-Dmsauw9VqgwJCT__L7Ff3-B2a9wME3_vOuNxUV4Y4FnOGWvRoccrMaK5dRjnJeRgyOXHk1/s1600/phoenix-helmet-graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95QBfMkta9LHk_Zr9mvpsdkL5h23B0-8Iv2sEQ1kVZLIAsBZjcoHBUTzkfrhlbouSEO3Y7-Dmsauw9VqgwJCT__L7Ff3-B2a9wME3_vOuNxUV4Y4FnOGWvRoccrMaK5dRjnJeRgyOXHk1/s320/phoenix-helmet-graphic.png" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’ve worked with bicycle advocates all around the
world who are pushing back against rampant bike helmet promotions, most of
which lead to threats for mandatory helmet laws. This blog touches on many of
these cases with <a href="http://www.bikehelmetblog.com/search/label/Fraud%20and%20Deception">articles
labelled Fraud & Deception</a>. I take pride in all these efforts and yet I
live in the most helmet-obsessed country in the world. That can be tough at times
as I see too many horrific bike helmet promotions to even respond to, including
the one pictured here from the nearby city of Phoenix. So embarrassing as an
Arizonan and so horrific as a bike advocate to imagine the terror of bicycling
this image caused in so many kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">So, I was very pleased to find <a href="https://usa.streetsblog.org/2018/02/14/how-americas-bike-helmet-fixation-upholds-a-culture-of-unfettered-automobility/">this
recent article confronting America’s fixation on bike helmets</a>, and it’s
even an American blog. There’s hope! Here’s how the article starts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB">In the United States, official
bicycle safety messaging heavily emphasizes helmet use. In a way, it’s worked:
American rates of helmet usage are high. But by almost any quantifiable safety
metric, the helmet fixation has failed. People bike at low rates in the U.S.
compared to international peers, and suffer higher injury and fatality rates
per mile of cycling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s not a coincidence that
bicycling remains dangerous in our helmet-obsessed safety culture, according to
University of Heidelberg professor Gregg Culver. Emphasizing helmets as a
singular solution to bike safety — rather than designing streets for safer car
speeds or better bike infrastructure — upholds a political structure that
favors “unfettered automobility,” Culver argues...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://usa.streetsblog.org/2018/02/14/how-americas-bike-helmet-fixation-upholds-a-culture-of-unfettered-automobility/">Read
the rest of the article here</a>. Great read!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sue</div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-13776880193608129612018-01-31T11:55:00.000-07:002018-01-31T11:55:11.480-07:00Malta Repealed Bike Helmet Law as Incentive for More Bicycling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ktx-rdzAEWCSHm47bizGtPncgGcozWfYjZSLKDlGx2UnDI28tNqOwOylpW-Y4eeR0pby3QR5YO61lir5KeiLUgh6GY0_qkgBNJHzgWjhQ4-oe9jeUGEB_W_mfRQI6NHjORbapvXZa7iV/s1600/Malta-Bike-Helmet-Law-Repealed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ktx-rdzAEWCSHm47bizGtPncgGcozWfYjZSLKDlGx2UnDI28tNqOwOylpW-Y4eeR0pby3QR5YO61lir5KeiLUgh6GY0_qkgBNJHzgWjhQ4-oe9jeUGEB_W_mfRQI6NHjORbapvXZa7iV/s320/Malta-Bike-Helmet-Law-Repealed.png" width="299" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Just two days ago, the transport ministry of Malta
announced their repeal of their mandatory bicycle helmet law as part of a
package of incentives to increase bicycling. This is fantastic news, not only
because it adds Malta to the growing list of places repealing these harmful
laws, but because Malta’s officials have recognized the harm their helmet law
had caused. This makes Malta an excellent example for other places – cities,
regions, and nations – also considering repealing their mandatory bicycle
helmet laws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Monday’s article from Times Malta highlights this
helmet law repeal and lists other incentives the government is taking to
increase bicycling. The article starts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB">A series of initiatives to encourage
the use of bicycles was announced on Monday by Finance Minister Edward Scicluna
and Transport Minister Ian Borg. Listed among them is the removal of the
obligation of using a bicycle helmet, especially when renting pedelecs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180129/local/incentives-to-encourage-cycling-obligation-to-use-bicycle-helmets.669248">Read
the rest of the article here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-14241491858011653802017-11-28T14:45:00.000-07:002017-11-28T14:45:00.932-07:00Sweden Is Moving Beyond Vision Zero and Helmets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPGJ1naqC_Bro4BEn9RZQryKx39cqPl6lpqNQF6eDg0NWSni1jQ-Wz9ijfxOOFbbw0EBdZlnrG8osaz3T9P7f-vscppqSLsDsE3hnlo-m44m2_UyLNZbiMwHgsbQsQeQaiwq-x72rqBjW/s1600/Moving+Beyond+Zero.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="801" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPGJ1naqC_Bro4BEn9RZQryKx39cqPl6lpqNQF6eDg0NWSni1jQ-Wz9ijfxOOFbbw0EBdZlnrG8osaz3T9P7f-vscppqSLsDsE3hnlo-m44m2_UyLNZbiMwHgsbQsQeQaiwq-x72rqBjW/s320/Moving+Beyond+Zero.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’ve never liked the concept of Vision Zero. This
program, started in Sweden twenty years ago with the goal of preventing all
deaths in traffic, seemed to me to set the stage for heavy handed safety
initiatives. I could just hear the shouts justifying unjust laws, “If it saves
one life, it will be worth it!” This is a common justification for mandatory
helmet laws. And Vision Zero seems to create a perfect footing for it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">So you can imagine how impressed I was when I read
about a new initiative coming from Sweden that not only recognizes such
concerns about Vision Zero, but offers a far more effective approach, including
steering away from mandating bicycle helmets. Here is the summary of their key
points: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">According to the Swedish Traffic
Safety Council for Active and Sustainable Mobility the main tenet of Moving
Beyond Zero is that the active element of cycling should be included within the
road safety/public health discourse. This has these key elements:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The
socioeconomic models that dictate our infrastructure investments must
begin to take into account illness prevention and increased life quality
provided by active mobility.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The
Transport Agency must be tasked with increasing active mobility. It is
unacceptable that the Swedish Vision Zero national plan for cycling begins
and ends with helmet promotion and lacks national cycling goals. Cycling
is currently not mentioned in the Transport Authority’s mission statement
nor in the national transport plan.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Sweden
needs a Vision Zero that saves, improves, and lengthens lives. Modern
environmentally sound and healthy transport planning has to create a
vision for a more active and healthier population.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">The
Council calls on the Swedish Minister for Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth to
develop a new goal for traffic and health that looks beyond Vision Zero. A
new goal should lead to traffic that saves lives and improves quality of
life in addition to reducing traffic fatalities and injuries by promoting
active mobility in the form of cycling and walking.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Read the rest of the article here: <a href="https://ecf.com/news-and-events/news/it-time-move-beyond-vision-zero-%E2%80%93-swedish-sustainable-mobility-stakeholders">Moving
Beyond Zero</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Simsun \(Founder Extended\)"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Sue</span>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-42677163691258614972017-09-04T10:18:00.000-07:002017-09-04T10:18:41.037-07:00Bicycle Network Questioning Helmet Law<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-campaigns/policy-reviews/helmet-review/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn049WEcKzLA8Zhnu9XTXDPg0xoTgLc32AzIt2YYGH_2hBRV30CsXMapCoS6cwJyG9LeDywic7SXTleCNhkqBk7Beod-7KJl4fMNFa7UkboJrZJb2IaTOqIFbxuyP_sfPYAag5JlizUUk/s320/Bicycle-Network-helmet-survey.png" width="192" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-campaigns/policy-reviews/helmet-review/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bicycle Network, Australia's largest cycling organization, has recently begun questioning their support of their country's mandatory helmet law.<br />
<br />
Help them work through this admirable process by <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-campaigns/policy-reviews/helmet-review/" target="_blank">taking their survey</a>. You do not have to be a resident of Australia to participate.<br />
<br />
Also on that page you will find a means for uploading academic papers to support your postion. Please take a few minutes to add your voice and perspective.<br />
<br />
https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/our-campaigns/policy-reviews/helmet-review/Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-74445597981430859122017-08-14T10:09:00.000-07:002017-08-14T10:09:47.553-07:00Cycle of Reform Film Nails Problems with Bike Helmet Laws<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9L7AjzPfN8IuHpX4YR-cWPHO8R9geDd7xjqlU-X8uVC6o-eC4bayIGlPS8JtlQyJTfxMgh-9OErexbMMtpNBMlCyvmAHzPXFz7xcnq9AmVfsHYGh06VFhU0aZLFoqyWk9AjB8kijW7_uU/s1600/Cycle-of-Reform.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9L7AjzPfN8IuHpX4YR-cWPHO8R9geDd7xjqlU-X8uVC6o-eC4bayIGlPS8JtlQyJTfxMgh-9OErexbMMtpNBMlCyvmAHzPXFz7xcnq9AmVfsHYGh06VFhU0aZLFoqyWk9AjB8kijW7_uU/s320/Cycle-of-Reform.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This recent film, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGsM-XIuGwo&feature=youtu.be">The
Cycle of Reform - Mandatory Helmet Laws</a>, demonstrates the most harmful
effects of these laws in a clear, easy-to-understand format. Australian bicycle
advocates have struggled for many years to articulate the harm of their country’s
all-ages helmet law as it continues to undermine bicycling initiatives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">As is the case anywhere, single factual statements are
shot down with emotional reactions. Simply presenting the data that bicycling
has decreased dramatically since the helmet law was passed is usually met with
a cry that if one life is saved it is worth it. Showing that bike helmets offer
little protection in a crash with a motor vehicle is met with exclamations that
any protection is better than none. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Finally, through this superb film, viewers can see
these issues in the context of a place that has suffered these effects for many
years. We see quality of life and the saving of lives set into legitimate
perspectives, including zero proof that any life has been saved because of the
law. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Whether a bike helmet law is at the local, regional,
or national level, the population effected suffers the same degradation of
their bicycle community, infrastructure, and support system. If your area is
pinned down by such a law or if you know of efforts to pass such a law, please
watch this film to learn how you can fight back. With this film, Australia is
sure to gain momentum toward a nationwide repeal of their mandatory all-ages
bicycle helmet law.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
My only concern is their emphasis on “low-risk” versus
“high-risk” cycling. This angle was used in Spain and resulted in laws that set
strange parameters for mandatory wearing of helmets based on individual
officials’ opinions of risk. Let’s hope that Australian officials avoid that
ridiculous route and simply repeal their law for all cyclists, leaving the
choice to individuals. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Sue</div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-45421474532749397382017-07-04T12:51:00.000-07:002017-07-04T12:51:16.951-07:00Australian Bike Helmet Laws Ignite Heated Discussion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u8L5gFlCvlM3TEom40iTbYu7y0c_FhyphenhyphengOPaNrYMY348Ca3SkCpiu-w2xyn8-DWNZxvODgfIvV1r-ZufsWew53D6ncLIUYKOygT-fop7OKkCwPo6PWBY4GTZkTqmEgkM1cS7svcC_I0vK/s1600/Media+Wise+helmet+laws.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u8L5gFlCvlM3TEom40iTbYu7y0c_FhyphenhyphengOPaNrYMY348Ca3SkCpiu-w2xyn8-DWNZxvODgfIvV1r-ZufsWew53D6ncLIUYKOygT-fop7OKkCwPo6PWBY4GTZkTqmEgkM1cS7svcC_I0vK/s320/Media+Wise+helmet+laws.png" width="309" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;">A tweet by <a href="http://mediawise.net.au/john-myers" style="box-sizing: border-box; transition: color 0.1s linear;"><span style="color: #a30046; text-decoration-line: none;">John Myers</span></a>,
our resident cyclist has sparked the mandatory helmet law debate once again.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Deputy Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner went head to head with Queensland’s Road
Minister Mark Bailey after our tweet lit the fire.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Cr Schrinner tweeted that the Brisbane bikeshare had recorded 1.9 million trips
since 2010. Nothing to crow about when compared to daily bikeshare trips in
cities like New York (50,000 trips on average per day).<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
@mediawisemelb said that if helmet laws were relaxed trips would soar. “It’s
not rocket science, just how the rest of the world succeeds in bikeshares”.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
With around 1,000 bikeshares around the world only a handful have mandatory
helmet laws. No surprise to see them all failing.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Cr Schrinner called on Minister Bailey to make helmets optional for Brisbane’s
CityCycle scheme.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Like Cr Schrinner, MediaWise would love to see a one year trial for relaxing
the helmet laws for bike share in Brisbane and Melbourne where daily trips are
very low. Just watch those daily rates soar!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Footnote – Our bike riding Director is not against people wearing helmets, he
just wants the act of riding helmet free not to be a crime. He is currently
bike touring in France with a helmet and his sporty lycra on during the day but
riding helmet free without lycra in towns most evenings.</span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<a href="http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/councillor-adrian-schrinner-sparks-debate-with-mp-mark-bailey-over-brisbanes-helmet-laws-20170628-gx0vmg.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; transition: color 0.1s linear;">http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/councillor-adrian-schrinner-sparks-debate-with-mp-mark-bailey-over-brisbanes-helmet-laws-20170628-gx0vmg.html</a></div>
<div style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1.5rem;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif;"><a href="http://mediawise.net.au/blog/mediawise-causes-viral-twitter-storm-about-mandatory-helmet-laws" target="_blank">Link to original article</a></span></div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-64696702504172940582017-04-29T21:47:00.000-07:002017-04-29T21:48:23.123-07:00Portugal Drops Mandatory Helmet Study Following Public Backlash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw8S1qTuyDsSybW3K_3JglqG9NnAqj7ACzV2eplX03Azo2JQzpJ9Hwp4V7MZjHEw3z13SqiY_lNA0QUR2O7nY8f5Kxtvgx_9XKkMyYW4hlGyM29XOErS_fqS-x66vSAAGJTtx9dD6KY3z/s1600/fun-without-helmets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw8S1qTuyDsSybW3K_3JglqG9NnAqj7ACzV2eplX03Azo2JQzpJ9Hwp4V7MZjHEw3z13SqiY_lNA0QUR2O7nY8f5Kxtvgx_9XKkMyYW4hlGyM29XOErS_fqS-x66vSAAGJTtx9dD6KY3z/s320/fun-without-helmets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
By Mark Sutton at cyclingindustry.news<br />
<br />
27 April, 2017<br />
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Portugal’s Government has dropped exploratory plans to introduce a mandatory helmet law for cyclists on the back of strong public opposition.</div>
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Launched to public consultation over the Christmas break, cyclists responded by organising a march through Lisbon, while over 500 written objections landed with the Road Authority.</div>
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Evidence based on studies of countries that have employed mandatory lid laws have largely resulted in a vast decrease in cycling levels, somewhat counteracting the aim of the legislation. (See the base of this piece for more on that)</div>
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Almost simultaneously a public petition calling for better conditions for cyclists on the roads surged past 10,000 signatures. On the back of this a meet with the Minister of Internal Affairs in parliament is now to take place with representatives from various Portuguese cycling and road safety organisations set to press cycling’s case for safe infrastructure provision. By law, the discussion has to take place and in theory should now provide legal results for improving active travel conditions, <a href="https://ecf.com/news-and-events/news/important-victory-bicycle-users-portugal" style="border: 0px; color: #6cc775; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">reports the ECF.</a></div>
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Ceri Woolsgrove, the ECF Policy officer on the Portugal victory; “Excellent lobbying activities in Portugal has seen some great results for cycling safety and promotion. Dropping the mandatory helmet proposal will remove a barrier to the uptake of cycling and the new road code will improve cycling safety. It is to be applauded that the Portuguese public authorities have listened to public pressure and cycling associations. We sincerely hope that this dialogue continues in order to improve cycling safety in the future, particularly regarding vehicle speeds which are a major road safety factor and are being reduced throughout Europe.”</div>
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Portugal saw Europe’s largest drop in road deaths between 2010 and 2015, delivering a 37% drop, some 20 points higher than the average 17% decline in cyclist deaths. Bicycle use has been steadily increasing in the region in recent years.</div>
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Aside from cycling levels, Portugal’s reputation as a heartland for industry manufacturing got a shot in the arm recently with the news that <a href="https://cyclingindustry.news/work-begins-on-e8200000-fritz-jou-manufacturing-plant-in-agueda-portugal/" style="border: 0px; color: #6cc775; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fritz Jou will set up a manufacturing plant. </a></div>
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Why helmet compulsion very often has undesired effects:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Helmet compulsion in Australia and the negative effect on numbers cycling. The compulsion law came in during 1991 and numbers<a href="http://www.cycle-helmets.com/bicycle_numbers.html#hash" style="border: 0px; color: #6cc775; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> immediately dipped.</a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0001457596000164" style="border: 0px; color: #6cc775; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Motorists more at risk of head injury than cyclists</a>, says study.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Senate told to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/12/mandatory-bike-helmet-laws-do-more-harm-than-good-senate-hears" style="border: 0px; color: #6cc775; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">remove mandatory helmet laws</a> as they’re harming cycling.</li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , serif;"><a href="https://cyclingindustry.news/portugal-drops-mandatory-helmet-study-following-public-backlash/" target="_blank">Link to original article</a></span></div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-56090435286403619102017-03-01T12:03:00.000-07:002017-03-01T12:03:48.892-07:00Bosnia and Herzegovina Repealed Their Bicycle Helmet Law!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR596q1FOtVBgXY5rpGMurioy4V63lrIUdWrzpvTtaIqlSHha0ZXpFh83A64jW07amRAB1dXQan9MAD4ProouYIFAT9onw9NcPi_kdFjEMDGEeh9m5FWhyphenhyphenQR1xhTlIDM_yKx3ZAvIseyqZ/s1600/Bosnia-helmet-law-protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR596q1FOtVBgXY5rpGMurioy4V63lrIUdWrzpvTtaIqlSHha0ZXpFh83A64jW07amRAB1dXQan9MAD4ProouYIFAT9onw9NcPi_kdFjEMDGEeh9m5FWhyphenhyphenQR1xhTlIDM_yKx3ZAvIseyqZ/s320/Bosnia-helmet-law-protest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the recent <a href="http://czzs.org/repeal-of-obligatory-bicycle-helmet-law-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina/?lang=en">repeal
of their mandatory all-ages bicycle helmet law</a>, Bosnia and Herzegovina has
become our best model for similar efforts. Congratulations to all their citizens
and visitors for the return of the freedom to ride bikes normally, without a
helmet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.onestreet.org/resources-for-increasing-bicycling/136-bicycle-helmets">Mandatory
bicycle helmet laws undermine efforts to increase bicycling</a> by making
bicycling seem more dangerous than it is, then putting the blame on cyclists if
a crash does occur. If we expect more people to ride bikes, these laws must be
removed from the books. Such repeal efforts usually seem impossible because of
the emotional, overblown rhetoric that caused their passage in the first place.
<a href="http://nyc.streetsblog.org/2012/03/22/with-a-boost-from-bike-share-cycling-surges-on-mexico-citys-mean-streets/">Mexico
City is one</a> rare example of a successful total repeal. <a href="http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1197.html">Israel is a partial example</a> by
repealing at least the adult portion of their law. But there were no nationwide
total repeals. Until now!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Join with us in celebrating this important victory by
forwarding this post and reposting the press release from the Centre for
Environment, pasted below:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Repeal of obligatory bicycle helmet law in Bosnia and
Herzegovina <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">After six long years of campaigning for the abolition
of the compulsory wearing of bicycle helmets in Bosnia and Herzegovina the
Centre for Environment welcomed the adoption of the Law on Amendments to the
Law on traffic safety on the roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina. With exceptional
joy and pride we can confirm to all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina that
they can now choose whether or not they want to wear a safety helmet. We would
especially like to thank Mr Zoran Andric from the Ministry of Communication and
Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina who proactively informed all stakeholders
as well as gave us opportunity several times to explain our facts and figures
that were against obligatory bicycle helmets. The conduct of the
representatives from this ministry during the public hearing process and
decision making is a model for all public institutions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Tihomir
Dakic</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">, Transport Program Coordinator at the Center for
Environment: "This is a major step towards greater and easier promotion of
the use of bicycles as a means of transport. It returns the focus from reducing
the consequences of crashes, to minimizing the causes of traffic crashes. Since
2006 until now cycling was incorrectly presented as a dangerous activity. In
fact the health benefits of the daily use of the bicycle outweigh the traffic
risks by around 20:1. Now it is up to
the local communities to pay more attention to the traffic regulation,
demotivation of the use of motor vehicles, promotion of healthy ways of
movement and reducing air pollution. We invite all those who stopped using the
bicycle due to the helmet law to return to it, to respect traffic rules and
enjoy all the benefits that cycling provides. "<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Milenko
Dzever</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">, Associate for roads and licenses at the Agency for
Traffic Safety of the Republic of Srpska: "On behalf of the Agency we
welcome the changes to the Law, and we wish to note that Article 102 does not
prohibit the wearing of helmets, but gives the choice to people whether they
want to use it or not. Of course, we recommend that children wear helmets until
they master riding a bicycle well enough. So far the old article of the Law
discouraged bicycle use, and it should be the opposite, to discourage users of
motor vehicles, especially in urban areas. Since the motor car is still seen as
a status symbol in our country about 80% of trips are made by personal motor
vehicle. This urgently needs to be changed. By investing in cycling and
pedestrian infrastructure for the local community we will significantly improve
traffic calming, increase the level of traffic safety, which in turn will
significantly improve the health of people and economic development of local
communities".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">About changes in the law in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
they said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Ceri
Woolsgrove</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">, expert on traffic safety, the European Cyclists
Federation, Brussels:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">"European Cyclists Federation (ECF) believes that
cyclists should be able to choose whether to wear or not to wear helmets and
reflective vests. We do not agree with the mandatory use of helmets and
reflective vests. We welcome the excellent work of the Centre for Environment,
a member of the ECF that highlighted this important issue representing the
interests of cyclists to the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Cycling is
not an overly dangerous activity and brings tremendous health benefits for
individuals, and has a positive effect on the environment and society as a
whole. Defending cycling in all its forms, helmeted or non-helmeted, is
important to the development of cycling and the use of all its benefits. We
welcome the work of the Ministry of Communications and Transport for allowing
citizens the freedom to choose their clothing with which they want to ride a
bicycle. We also expect that the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina
contribute to facilitating the development of safer traffic, especially for
cyclists and pedestrians".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Sue
Knaup</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">, Executive Director of the international association
One Street, Prescott, Arizona, USA:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">"Bosnia and Herzegovina has set an important
precedent with this repeal. Any law that mandates the wearing of helmets or
other articles, criminalizes the use of bicycles as an efficient and affordable
means of transportation. We at One Street applaud this important repeal and
look forward to showcasing Bosnia and Herzegovina as a model for jurisdictions
ready to remove their own unjust laws against bicycling."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Before the campaign started the paragraph about
bicycle helmets in the Law adopted 2006 was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">“Article
102<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Riders of bicycle, bicycle with a
motor, light motorcycle or motorbike and persons transported on those vehicles
must wear protective helmets while riding.“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">During these years the police rarely fined cyclists,
but they started to lobby to integrate better definition of bicycle helmet
wearing as well as impose reflective vests. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Then police and transport safety experts lobbied for
defining it further to protect cyclists and Ministry of Communication and
Transport changed it in 2010 to this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">“Article
102<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Riders of bicycles, mopeds, light
motorcycle, motorcycle, tricycle, light quads or quads and persons carried on
those vehicles must properly use safety helmet while riding, and in the period
from dusk to complete dawn, as well as during the day in case of low
visibility, cyclists must use reflective vest.“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">This was the moment in which we started to investigate
all Laws on traffic safety from different countries and soon we found out that
we were “The worst”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We spent countless hours and days over six years
lobbying with no funds, only huge enthusiasm and energy to repeal this most
serious negative impact on cycling promotion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Then, with the help of the authorities noted above,
this was the result of our struggle:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">“Article
102<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">(1) The rider of a moped, light
motorcycle, motorcycle, tricycle, light quads and quads, as well as persons
transported on these vehicles must carry on his head buttoned protective
helmet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">(2) The rider of the bicycle during
the period from dusk to complete dawn, as well as during the day in case of
reduced visibility, they need to use reflective vest or reflective appropriate
equipment that provides adequate visibility of the rider or the bicycle.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We succeed to exclude the word “bicycle” from
paragraph (1) and the protective helmets became history. Meanwhile in paragraph
(2) we added second part after reflective vests to allow a choice of ways for
making us, cyclists, more visible and with more comfortable accessories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">For more information contact Tihomir Dakic at
tihomir.dakic{at}czzs.org or visit Centre for Environment's website at </span><a href="http://www.czzs.org/"><span lang="EN-GB">www.czzs.org</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"># # #<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-15171094740857155582016-11-19T13:07:00.000-07:002016-11-19T13:07:12.002-07:00Helmet Pushers Sour CyclingBikeyface gives me a smiley face:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTxZWtqM1WOt-NP0dbmV9qmlrArNTQFjMnOyHRCEYkrcpn49aSAfL7MNGI4S1qAMnVFYbOX6kK8xzK18h4kiJzzusvSAjEuaKzAP_z5zolQZ5FFMR9IAv0zgnED1NbyT17YIUhhKvvpD3/s1600/Bikeyface-cafe-helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTxZWtqM1WOt-NP0dbmV9qmlrArNTQFjMnOyHRCEYkrcpn49aSAfL7MNGI4S1qAMnVFYbOX6kK8xzK18h4kiJzzusvSAjEuaKzAP_z5zolQZ5FFMR9IAv0zgnED1NbyT17YIUhhKvvpD3/s640/Bikeyface-cafe-helmet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Enjoy the whole <a href="http://bikeyface.com/2014/11/21/headcase/" target="_blank">blog post here</a>.Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-24640064720025648182016-09-19T13:19:00.000-07:002016-09-19T13:19:57.905-07:00Bike Helmets Cannot Prevent Brain Injuries<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps the most deceptive misconception that bicycle helmet
manufacturers and proponents like to see in the media and from public (even if
they avoid making the statement themselves) is that bicycle helmets prevent
brain injuries. Those who profit from helmet sales and those who genuinely
believe they are saving lives by pushing bike helmets often prompt these lies
by emphasizing that helmets “can” prevent “head injuries.” Note that a cut to
the scalp is a head injury. Brain injuries are different, though most readers
don’t make the distinction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73OL4GZTszaFzuZMcpiH1ZLeGd7epKruiTTf9akAEmdxDTDOkVUlC76ewCgNObh77VjyKB2RRlqfMBomu4VufWytHQKxzxiWftxH1UP6t3xcy2_lVMBi718z3WYfLbIXRcWK5BvLR1D45/s1600/Brain-suspended-in-skull.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73OL4GZTszaFzuZMcpiH1ZLeGd7epKruiTTf9akAEmdxDTDOkVUlC76ewCgNObh77VjyKB2RRlqfMBomu4VufWytHQKxzxiWftxH1UP6t3xcy2_lVMBi718z3WYfLbIXRcWK5BvLR1D45/s320/Brain-suspended-in-skull.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1251.html">Many
supposedly scientific studies readily skew data</a> to force their intended
outcome of showing bike helmets do protect brains, but each of these have been
debunked, usually finding that deaths were from other causes and data sets were
lopsided. But many people simply want to believe that helmets prevent brain
damage, even though no such device on the outside of the head can prevent the
brain from impacting the inside of the skull. Our brains are suspended in
fluid. Upon impact, whether the skull is protected or not, the brain will hit
the skull. Simple physics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, we must look to other activities where
helmets have been tried in order to find sincere efforts to question their use
or at least effectiveness. Here in the U.S., the <a href="https://www.fastcodesign.com/1671752/why-nfl-helmets-will-never-be-concussion-proof">National
Football League (NFL) has been forced by injured players and their families to
admit that no helmet can stop concussions</a>. Instead, they are finally
engaging a concussion protocol that takes players out of the game after a blow
to their helmeted head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The article linked in the above paragraph about the NFL
notes that there could conceivably be a helmet that lessened brain injury but
the design would require 15 inches (38 centimeters) of foam wrapping the entire
head. Another potential design could mimic single-use motorcycle helmets – full
head, heavy shell – and even their manufactures admit they cannot prevent brain
injury. We can safely assume that most cyclists will not want to wear such a
helmet, especially since <a href="http://www.onestreet.org/resources-for-increasing-bicycling/136-bicycle-helmets">the
risk of a cyclist banging their head is no more likely than that of pedestrian’s
and far less likely than those is cars</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The latest sport to ditch helmets is boxing. This interests
me because I have recently taken up the sport and love it. I learned last week
from our coach that we need to focus our punches on our opponent’s head. And
yet, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/08/15/the-olympics-banned-headgear-for-male-boxers-but-not-women-stoking-a-debate-on-safety-and-sexism/">the
Olympics banned headgear for male boxers</a> this year citing an <i>increase</i> in concussions since headgear
was made mandatory. They show that boxers began leading with their head more,
similar to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation#Bicycle_helmets">studies
that show an increase in risky behavior by helmeted cyclists</a>. I also wonder
if the increased diameter of the boxers’ heads increased potential for contact,
much like a bike helmet increases the chance of a cyclists’ head hitting the
ground or the object they collide with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s hope that bicycle helmet manufacturers and proponents
will soon follow American football and Olympic boxing in admitting that their
product cannot prevent brain injuries. It’s time for more honesty on this
topic!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-21352381788771663372016-07-04T15:32:00.000-07:002016-07-04T15:32:13.016-07:00Are Bicycle Helmets Holding Us Back? A Great ArticleThis <a href="https://momentummag.com/bicycle-helmets-holding-us-back-2/" target="_blank">recent article from Momentum Magazine </a>is written by a U.S. public official who dared to notice helmet-free cyclists in Europe, then ride without one when he returned. For that simple, personal choice he was chastised and reprimanded. Too bad he didn't have one of these buttons:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1sGkvSCmOJ5JxPWkUzDugauCIOVE8IOkte_jzMmxp8MAwRPRVV89opq4A7JSMkCCN2H2eqSNn3GsDxj4TRHTBW-BQTjCkoHI99zQob8zPwsvJrDzLobwL4z16L5-mbfieF0eHNGurFRk/s1600/Helmet+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1sGkvSCmOJ5JxPWkUzDugauCIOVE8IOkte_jzMmxp8MAwRPRVV89opq4A7JSMkCCN2H2eqSNn3GsDxj4TRHTBW-BQTjCkoHI99zQob8zPwsvJrDzLobwL4z16L5-mbfieF0eHNGurFRk/s200/Helmet+button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
He was also inspired to research and write a great article about the bicycle helmet problem in North American. Please take the time to read it, and enjoy.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Are Bicycle Helmets Holding Us Back?</h2>
Written by: Shaun Lopez-Murphy<br />
<br />
Three years ago when I was the Bicycle Coordinator in Minneapolis, MN, I became involved in a controversy over a bicycle helmet – or lack thereof. After a trip to Europe, where I had ridden with the non-helmeted masses in three of the safest bicycling nations on Earth – Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands – I had declined to top my noggin.<br />
<br />
I didn’t realize it but I had become one of the first U.S. public officials to question bicycle helmets openly, telling the local newspaper in an interview, “I just want [bicycling] to be seen as something that a normal person can do … you don’t need special gear. You just get on a bike and you just go.”<br />
<br />
Locals immediately criticized me. The pro-helmet cry was passionate and full of concern over traumatic brain injuries, which is not unusual when bicycle helmet policy is debated. Soon after, I was told to start wearing head protection while bicycling on the job.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://momentummag.com/bicycle-helmets-holding-us-back-2/" target="_blank"><i>Continue reading..</i>.</a>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-20688335197854704402016-05-12T09:22:00.000-07:002016-05-12T09:22:28.934-07:00Bike Helmets Least Effective for SafetyToday's <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/why-bike-helmets-are-last-thing-we-should-be-worrying-about.html" target="_blank">article on Tree Hugger</a> jumps on a ridiculous bike helmet ad by the American Auto Association (always good for botching bicycle safety).<br />
<br />
The great thing about this article is that the author offers a far better way to look at bicycle crash prevention--construction zone safety. Here's an excerpt:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg36r43lD2oPTadRJpVsIdeqx-Qt8NwePTtBaTM-HsNw0za5bZ2Qcya8KAnYUn54-tYQ3bz8oXbNjBZw9ZPdEeQM8LkBw0eqoxKZveJl0EqnieOJgaHQBZNh_GyJmoB7HfOFX01TYV-FF/s1600/Hazard-control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg36r43lD2oPTadRJpVsIdeqx-Qt8NwePTtBaTM-HsNw0za5bZ2Qcya8KAnYUn54-tYQ3bz8oXbNjBZw9ZPdEeQM8LkBw0eqoxKZveJl0EqnieOJgaHQBZNh_GyJmoB7HfOFX01TYV-FF/s320/Hazard-control.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
"...So on a construction site one makes sure that there are safe routes, protection from dangerous equipment, picking up the crap and keeping everything in good order, and lots of fencing to keep people who are not construction workers away from those who are. Then there is education and training of the workers, strong enforcement of the rules, and good maintenance of the tools..."<br />
<br />
Nice insight.<br />
<br />
But whenever I read an article about bicycle helmets, even if it starts off showing <a href="http://www.onestreet.org/resources-for-increasing-bicycling/136-bicycle-helmets" target="_blank">how ineffective helmets are</a>, I wait until the end to rejoice. For some sick reason, authors of articles that expose the truth about bike helmets, tend to wrap them up with a guilt-ridden paragraph or two stating their ingrained opinion that cyclists still should wear a helmet no matter what the facts show.<br />
<br />
Not this one! To my joy and relief it ends with this:<br />
<br />
"...If the American Automobile Association was really concerned about cyclist safety, it would be telling its members to slow down; it would be supporting the installation of bike lanes even though they might lose a driving lane here and there; they would work to get people out of giant pickup trucks and SUVs with big flat fronts that are disproportionately deadly, and they would support Vision Zero campaigns. But instead we have this."<br />
<br />
How refreshing.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.treehugger.com/bikes/why-bike-helmets-are-last-thing-we-should-be-worrying-about.html" target="_blank">Read the article and enjoy!</a>Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-39297328842745649652016-04-16T12:01:00.000-07:002016-04-16T12:02:19.358-07:00Concussion, the Movie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKCcF-WszagYdq0_D3C_OkDAP8fGoqA704rpVkTIA4YL4wthGB4r-pEMODjilIlns7SBr-rh40fx23qwAdSp__WvrJbvySiXhbtMb2UwcRJr-gCvqhK5WlbVw2uEWvWvv0UzBAKvCWRYN/s1600/NFL-helmet-to-helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKCcF-WszagYdq0_D3C_OkDAP8fGoqA704rpVkTIA4YL4wthGB4r-pEMODjilIlns7SBr-rh40fx23qwAdSp__WvrJbvySiXhbtMb2UwcRJr-gCvqhK5WlbVw2uEWvWvv0UzBAKvCWRYN/s320/NFL-helmet-to-helmet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I watched the recently released movie, <i>Concussion</i> last night. It’s a nice, fictionalized story about the
man who revealed the debilitating results of repeated head trauma in American
football. It’s certainly worth watching for the storyline, but as a fan of
American football, I was disappointed with the lack of detailed information.
The film includes nothing about the steps the National Football League has
taken to try to prevent this problem. Perhaps this is because the film is only
about this man and the time during his discovery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, the film did offer a few benefits for <a href="http://www.onestreet.org/resources-for-increasing-bicycling/136-bicycle-helmets">the
bike helmet problem</a>. For one, it was refreshing to spend two hours amidst a
topic that is encased in helmets, without the slightest assumption that helmets
would offer anything toward a solution. There are many scenes showing football
players slamming their helmets together, which hint at the helmets actually
worsening the problem. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s even a scene where the doctor shows his girlfriend
the problem by holding out a sealed glass jar that contains water and an egg as
he explains that a human brain floats loose in fluid. He then shakes the jar
repeatedly to demonstrate what a football player’s brain goes through. Of
course the egg breaks. I very much appreciated this as a needed twist from the
misuse of eggs in <a href="http://www.bikehelmetblog.com/2015/11/are-helmet-programs-scaring-kids-away.html">terrifying
children into wearing bike helmets</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, I can recommend the movie as good entertainment, but
don’t watch it expecting to garner many gems for fighting bike helmet laws or
promotions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sue</div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-10191657576117159102016-03-04T12:45:00.000-07:002016-03-04T12:45:50.702-07:00Bicycle Helmets – Today’s Bloodletting<div class="MsoNormal">
(I wrote this article seven years ago. So sad it remains relevant
today.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MOxtpn68pIKSxq7X-DYQMLnhtuIIO6uQ6zBfFM98nEzrLsPAN9vUr6Xk7j41o8ZpLF5MMH4ficPvC5OGg600w76ijyDM4m3K2ng1cB45U0PoYBT5-8FeHWffK-V9RORAjwGz0cGaXYe7/s1600/Bloodletting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MOxtpn68pIKSxq7X-DYQMLnhtuIIO6uQ6zBfFM98nEzrLsPAN9vUr6Xk7j41o8ZpLF5MMH4ficPvC5OGg600w76ijyDM4m3K2ng1cB45U0PoYBT5-8FeHWffK-V9RORAjwGz0cGaXYe7/s1600/Bloodletting.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bloodletting seems a distant absurdity to us and yet, just a few
hundred years ago, we lost George Washington because he trusted its rhetoric
over logic when he agreed to it as treatment for a nasty cold. With only a few
quiet voices protesting the countless deaths caused by bloodletting, the
practice continued well into the 20<sup>th</sup> century. Today’s bicycle
helmet promotions and laws hold an alarming resemblance to the pronouncements
used by the bloodletters. When an illogical practice is presented as the only
means of safety and dismissal of the practice is equated to certain death, even
the most brilliant leader can succumb to its absurdity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Myths about helmets charm countries most where bicycling is not
commonplace. In these countries, helmet rhetoric has escalated to the point
where those not familiar with bicycling believe that if you so much as swing
your leg over a bicycle without wearing a helmet you will smash your head open.
In such places, those who ride a bike without a helmet are chided by onlookers
at every turn for their reckless, irresponsible behavior. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Where did these chiders get their
information? Most helmet propaganda is originally published by insurance
companies, health practitioners and government agencies who have avoided
countless law suits by blaming bicyclists in crashes for not wearing a helmet, sometimes
even when their injuries or death did not involve injuries to their head. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
While many studies have shown that
bicycle helmets do little to prevent major head injuries beyond minor skull
fractures and lacerations (Curnow 2001), a few poorly executed, misleading
studies are the only ones to have reached mainstream distribution. The most common
bit of jargon of them all is that “cycle helmets prevent 85% of head injuries
and 88% of brain injuries” when in fact, where helmet use is high, there has
been no detectable reduction in head injuries. See this link for a good
overview: <a href="http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1027.html">http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1027.html</a>
.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helmet rhetoric that sets bicycling out as far more dangerous than
it is, is the greatest hindrance to programs for increasing bicycling. A great
deal of truthful yet catchy promotions will be necessary to counter this noise.
Remember, bloodletting was “common sense” for 2,000 years! One of the best
examples for illustrating the truth is this fun quiz on the dangers of
bicycling: <a href="http://www.bicyclinglife.com/SafetySkills/SafetyQuiz.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">http://www.bicyclinglife.com/SafetySkills/SafetyQuiz.htm</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mandatory helmet laws often follow the spread of bicycle helmet
rhetoric, adding the weight of the law to the idea that bicycling is more
dangerous than any other form of transportation. In fact, as you will have found
in the above quiz, if these laws took a realistic approach to their attempt to
prevent head injuries, all pedestrians and car drivers would be required to
wear helmets as well. And, it seems, a law requiring the wearing of helmets
inside the house would also be a good idea. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helmet laws also
present another barrier to potential cyclists who already see many barriers to
starting cycling. Mandatory helmet laws add to this list and thus prevent many
new riders from starting. These laws have also been proven to decrease numbers
of current cyclists thus increasing the potential for crashes by hindering
safety in numbers. This theory has been proven to show that <span style="color: #292526; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a motorist is less
likely to collide with a person walking or bicycling when there are more people
walking or bicycling </span>(Jacobsen 2003).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bicycle helmets may provide some protection against minor skull
fractures and lacerations, but they do not prevent major brain trauma that
happens within the skull. In fact, because bicycle helmets are soft which increases
friction in certain crashes, unlike motorcycle helmets, some studies have shown
that they can cause neck and brain injuries from rotational motion (<em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">V
J M St Clair, B P Chinn. 2007</span></em>).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, in minor crashes, bicycle helmets can assist in preventing
minor injuries, though the potential of their doing harm in a major crash must
be considered. Like bloodletting, which, in retrospect was found to have
unintentionally benefitted a few lucky survivors because they were later
discovered to have high blood pressure, helmets have surely prevented nasty
gashes and painful skull fractures. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bicycle helmets can be a good choice for someone concerned about
minor head injuries as long as they understand their helmet’s limitations for
preventing major head injuries, not unlike choosing to wear knee pads and
gloves. However, some studies have shown that helmeted bicyclists take more
risks than those not wearing a helmet (<em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Pless IB, Magdalinos H,
Hagel B. 2006). Thus, whenever a potential helmet benefit is mentioned, the potential
of a helmet causing neck and brain injury, as well as this risk compensation,
must always be included for bicycle helmets to be presented in a truthful light.
</span></em><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another important point to understand is that helmets do not
prevent crashes. Improved road and pathway conditions, driver and bicyclist education,
better protections for cyclists and increased numbers of bicyclists through
safety in numbers, prevent crashes. Too often government officials, health
practitioners and insurance companies grasp at helmet laws as a quick and cheap
solution that removes them from liability and the responsibility of providing
quality provisions for bicyclists.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helmet laws and overblown promotions also set in place a
ready-made blame-the-victim reaction. Each time a helmetless cyclist is in a
crash, their bare head becomes the focus even if the driver deliberately hit
them and their injuries were not head related. Remember that whenever one of
these laws is presented, it is from a knee jerk reaction, either to a recent
crash or fabricated rhetoric, usually by officials seeking to avoid liability,
framing the argument as making crashing safer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s replace our helmets with thinking caps. If we can agree that
increasing bicycling is in the best interest of our people and our planet, it’s
time to shift our promotions and policy efforts away from the illusion of safer
crashing and into reshaping our communities into places where everyone knows
the safety of bicycling.<o:p></o:p></div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2878024090187291563.post-2411390775298773052016-01-27T10:51:00.000-07:002016-01-27T10:51:34.233-07:00Aussie Situation Worsens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBDIav9nO45sVmeWmGPpD6RkfdRwuhyLbeFWaxfJgLRJ4r4CsqNBaHsOLMJsImCHZZyXpb5tmgdnM4Tf-Fv3NLmRJ7Xuz2pkZJAoqrwUyudTrij-Lgw3ItitvfcNG-Kq-dMHHHtfflgDf/s1600/Bicyclist-arrested.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBDIav9nO45sVmeWmGPpD6RkfdRwuhyLbeFWaxfJgLRJ4r4CsqNBaHsOLMJsImCHZZyXpb5tmgdnM4Tf-Fv3NLmRJ7Xuz2pkZJAoqrwUyudTrij-Lgw3ItitvfcNG-Kq-dMHHHtfflgDf/s320/Bicyclist-arrested.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
One of the top reasons any of us fight bicycle helmet laws is that they set a foul stage for more anti-bicycling laws. Unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening in New South Wales, Australia with proposed laws that will stop many more people from bicycling and make criminals out of those who do.<br />
<br />
This urgent alert dropped into my email box this morning:<br />
<br />
"<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">You have probably
heard about the anti-cyclist New South Wales government and their new laws and
higher fines. It's presented as a "trade-off" for a 1 meter passing law,
but that makes no sense - if a law is worthwhile then it shouldn't require a
bad law to justify it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<br />
Increased penalties include:<br />
- Not a wearing helmet (from $71 to $319)<br />
- Running a red light (from $71 to $425, 500% increase)<br />
- Riding dangerously (from $71 to $425, 500% increase)<br />
- Not stopping at a pedestrian crossing ($71 to $425, 500% increase)<br />
<br />
Making it compulsory for adult riders to carry photo ID at all times.<br />
<br />
There is no evidence that higher fines or compulsory ID will make anyone safer.
There is plenty of evidence it will turn people away from using the bicycle for
transport.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.communityrun.org/petitions/a-cost-too-high-for-cyclist-safety" target="_blank">Sign the Community Run petition</a>, whether you live in NSW or
not, it concerns you. Compulsory ID is an idea that needs to be stopped now. By
the way, it's not just any photo ID. If you don't have a NSW driver's licence,
you must obtain specific cycling ID from a NSW government
department before you can ride a bike in NSW. So if you aren't a NSW resident,
don't think about visiting - cycling there will be illegal for you.<br />
<br />
For NSW residents, cycling ID and higher fines are just another barrier to the
convenience and ease of using a bicycle to get around. This government has
ripped up cycleways in Sydney and is now looking for other ways to make cycling
less popular. Overall result? More traffic congestion and higher health
bills as exercise levels go down.<br />
<br />
If this anti-cycling government succeeds in having the NSW Parliament pass this
new law, it could spread, just like bicycle helmet law spread
after Victoria became the first jurisdiction in the world to make helmets
compulsory. We need to stop it now, so lend your support by signing the
petition organised by cycle.org.au at<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.communityrun.org/petitions/a-cost-too-high-for-cyclist-safety" target="_blank">https://www.communityrun.org/petitions/a-cost-too-high-for-cyclist-safety</a> "</span><div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Until we can wipe overzealous bicycle helmet promotions and bicycle helmet laws from this planet, we are going to have to spend valuable time mopping up the messes they create. But we've got to do it. Please sign the petition and offer your support to these battered bicycle advocates. Thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sue</span></div>
Sue Knauphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14149859995220789372noreply@blogger.com1