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2010/16: Should wearing bike helmets be mandated by law in Australia?





Introduction to the media issue

Video clips at right:
TOP / BOTTOM: In September 2009, Sue Abbott, of Scone, NSW, unsuccessfully challenged her prosecution for failing to wear a helmet. An independent filmmaker followed events and interviewed some of the people involved. Ms Abbott was fined $50.00 plus $50.00 court costs. She was also left with substantial legal fees. Viewing order should be, top first, followed by lower.
NOTE that these two videos should be considered comment.
If you cannot see this clip, it will be because video is blocked by your network. To view the clip, access from home or from a public library, or from another network which allows viewing of video clips.

What they said...
'What it does is it puts people off cycling'
Associate Professor Chris Rissel, The University of Sydney's school of public health

'The mandatory helmet wearing legislation has had a significant, positive impact on both the number of head-injured bicyclists and on the severity of injuries'
Monash University Action Research Centre

The issue at a glance
In August, 2010, two Sydney researchers recommended that a trial be conducted to see if, were bicycle helmets made voluntary, there was any difference in the casualty rates among cyclists.
Associate Professor Chris Rissel and Dr Alexander Voukelatos from The University of Sydney's school of public health have challenged the value of wearing bicycle helmets, claiming they may not be responsible for the reduced casualty rates attributed to them. The researchers have also suggested that having to wear a helmet discourages bicycle riding and so has a negative impact on public health.
To this point, no state government has supported the proposal that there be a temporary relaxation of helmet regulations in a designated area.
The question has become a particularly acute one in Melbourne, where the city's Share Bike scheme has been far less used than anticipated. The cause of this has been in part attributed to the requirement that all riders wear helmets. The State government is considering a variety of means to make helmets more accessible to riders who hire bikes.