Here are the results of our ‘helmet’ poll
In total we had 561 votes
Thanks so much to everyone who voted!
The results were as follows:
So does anyone know how this compares to the official count?
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Cycling in Auckland is in favour of:this
and this
and of course this
- Business case
I don't like wearing a helmet and believe the law has lead to the death of cycling in NZ. But due to public peer pressure and public perception on the issue, I reluctantly wear one.
Unfortunatly the majority of New Zealanders don't understand the damage the helmet done and believe that helmets where a gift from God. But you could also say the same about the automobile!
Sorry Brent but I don't agree with you. Wearing a helmet saved my life when I was struck by 2 cars. A helmet has also saved my husband's life – twice! once when in an accident while riding in a bunch and once when attacked by a pit bull.
Not so much a gift from god but rather a gift from yourself, or anyone who buys you one. A gift that truely shows you value how lucky you are that you can ride a bike and enjoy your life as it is – fully functional physcially…. there are so many who aren't so lucky.
So the poll shows we are law abiding citzens. Ones that can rarely afford multipe fines from the police.
However the poll does not show if people support the current, all ages mandatory helmet law. Lets remmeber, many of us would still wear our helmets without a law, in the apropraite situation.
However many of us are also concerned with the mass of international data that shows the Australasian mandatory helmet laws to have had multiple unintended consequences. For me the most crediable of these is the clear drop off in cycle use and the loss of any safety in numbers effect.
We have to admit this data is compelling. Certainly enough to mean that no other country in the world has embarked on an all ages mandatory helmet law in over 20 years! Oh apart from Israel which did so for about a year then repealed that law due to the effcts on cycling numbers.
I propose you run a second poll. This poll should ask whether we support a comprehensive review of our mandatory helmet law. This review would include genuine cost benefit analysis of the health benefits/disbenefits to our population and any knock on social and economic benefits/disbenefits in relation to transport.
The fact that we as a nation have been unwilling to allow our scientific community to seriosly look at this issue since the helmet experimant began in the 80's is a sad enditement on NZs culture of apathy
I will have to leave it to a techy person to set up the poll
Tom Ransom
@ Hilary. I am truely greatful that wearing a helmet saved your life. However one has to realise that there are some environments that require a helmet and others which don't. Say for instance, I am going for a lesurely stroll along the waterfront or a ride along quiet suburban streets, why should I need a helmet? On the other hand, those who race, cycle on busy road and do down hill mountain biking require a helmet.
The problem is the lack of cycling infrustructure on our roads. With the introduction of the law we believed we would make cyclists invincible, but yet people still get hit, with similar statistics to when the law was introducted (yet we have far less cyclists on the road now).
I will finish with the fact that accidents happen because of cars, 'I was hit by a car' is a common phrase for having an accident. Why should the cyclist be punished for those mistakes made by cars? Shouldn't they be looking at lowering car speeds, improving infrastructure and improving urban environments.
I am sure that you are more likely to suffer a head injury whilst walking than whilst on a bike, yet for some strange reason people are not fined for not wearing helmets whilst: walking the streets, crossing roads, using stairs, steps, and ladders! I am also sure that wearing a helmet in a car will also reduce head injuries, they are compulsory in motorsports, yet still there are no laws to make drivers use then, and I would be surprised if the Police didn’t pull you over for wearing one! Personally I think my helmet is great for mounting my video camera to gather evidence of dangerous driving so the Police can ignore it
The “cyclist helmet law logic” would suggest that we study all causes of head injury and if the use of a helmet would reduce the risk or injury then the public should be forced to use them whenever these studies have shown a helmet would reduce the risk of a head injury