Bicycle Network push to scrap compulsory helmets

PEDESTRIANS should not be put at risk because some cyclists don’t like having helmet hair, a group representing walkers says.

A CALL for a relaxation of bicycle helmet laws is just a cover to allow cycling on footpaths, the state’s pedestrian lobby group has claimed.

The Bicycle Network said adults should be free to decide whether to wear a helmet when they’re not riding on the road.

The network is calling for a national five-year trial allowing people to choose to go helmet-free when riding on footpaths or off-road paths.

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One of the recommendations of Bicycle Network’s helmet law review was also for riding a bicycle on the footpath to be made legal in Victoria and NSW, in line with other states.

Helmets were made compulsory in Victoria in 1990.

But Victoria Walks executive officer Ben Rossiter said allowing cycling to ride on footpaths, helmets or not, would be “very irresponsible”.

“Footpath cycling is unsafe for cycling and pedestrians,’’ he said.

“Why should some pedestrians be put at risk because some cyclists don’t like helmet hair.’’

Footpaths were not designed for cycling and they deterred the elderly and disabled people from getting out and about, Mr Rossiter said.

The Bicycle Network said adults should be free to decide whether to wear a helmet when they’re not riding on the road.

The network is calling for a national five-year trial allowing people to choose to go helmet-free when riding on footpaths or off-road paths.

It stopped short of a total ban because the roads, and specifically cars, were still too dangerous.

“The risk for bike riders is substantially created by people driving vehicles,’’ the report said.

Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said bike riding was languishing and a review of mandatory helmet laws was needed.

“I call it a very grey area with black and white opinions,’’ he said.

“Some people will look at this and say ‘thank goodness’ and some will say ‘why didn’t you go further?’ and others will say ‘what on earth are you doing’?’’

The network’s call comes after a survey of 20,000 of its members, of whom 60 per cent said helmet laws should be changed.

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The Bicycle Network says helmets are still required for riding on roads.

Victoria passed the world’s first mandatory bicycle helmet laws on July 1, 1990. Other states and territories, except the Northern Territory, followed during the 1990s.

But few nations around the world have followed Australia’s lead, and some countries, including Mexico and Malta, are repealing their helmet laws.

Footballer’s Gary Pert and Dale Weightman push the benefits of bike helmets in the late 1980s.

“The number of people who ride a bike isn’t increasing and there has been no decrease in the number of bike rider fatalities. It’s clear that our bike policies aren’t working,” Mr Richards said.

The Bicycle Network also sought submissions from cycling and medical experts, as well as reviewing academic studies.

One in three cyclists said they would ride more if helmets were not mandatory.

In Victoria, just 1.24 per cent of people travel to work by bicycle, according to the 2016 Census. The national cycling figure is just over 1 per cent.

The network’s report revealed that bike deaths in the 1990s fell when the laws were introduced, compared to the 1980s but the drop was in line with overall road fatalities trend.

TAC data shows that 12 Victorian cyclists died in road crashes last year, more than the eight-year average of 8.6. So far this year, just four deaths have been recorded.

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