Brisbane City Council push for optional bike helmet trial

BIG Brother has been watching cyclists at four of Brisbane’s busiest CityCycle stations and up to one in five are riding the shared bikes without helmets.

Grace Todd and Abbey Pensini say they use the helmets the Council provides. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

BIG Brother has been watching cyclists at four of Brisbane’s busiest CityCycle stations and up to one in five are riding the shared bikes without helmets.

The highest rates of noncompliance were at three South Bank stations — Sidon St (20 per cent) and Little Stanley St and the Cultural Forecourt (21 per cent).

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the survey results were further evidence that the State Government should allow an optional helmet trial for the cycling service.

Cr Schrinner, the Public and Active Transport chairman, said the Council monitored four stations in the CBD and South Bank. It found 14 to 21 per cent of riders did not wear helmets.

“We have always believed more people would use the bikes if helmets were optional,” he said.

“We’ve asked for a trial to see if it does increase ridership and we can make an informed decision at the end of the trial.”

Bicycle Queensland chief executive officer Anne Savage said helmets saved lives and prevented head injuries.

“I’m a big fan of Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner and a big fan of CityCycles — I’d like to work with Adrian to make helmets great again,” she said.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said: “There is not going to be a reduction of road safety to save City Council’s failed CityCycle Scheme”.

“(Mandatory helmets are) best practice, it’s based on science and research. It’s saved my life, I’m sure it’s saved others as well.”

Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) said he was open to a conversation about optional helmets in low-speed environments, where cyclists did not share the road with cars.

“But I think it’s not the biggest issue. I get really frustrated when Cr Schrinner says optional helmet laws will increase ridership,’’ he said. “What we need are separated bike lanes to keep cyclists out of the way of cars and pedestrians,” he said.