Growing calls to dump helmet law

29 Mar 2011 09:43a.m.

wayne wrote:

i ride cycles and motorbikes and when cycling i feel very unsafe. instead of leathers i have lycra, instead of kevlar i have plastic , instead of boots i have bare ankles. you dont know when a crash will happen and its too late to fit a helmet when your flying through the air. the brain is so fragile it only takes a head to hit the curb edge. You may all think the crash will kill you but not always sometimes the person has to be fed and bathed and toileted for the rest of thier lives all for the sake of a helmet. cycles are now having the same deaths and injuries as motorcycles but some how its ok to have almost no padding at all for comforts sake. i personally find seat belts are uncomfortable but i promise you its always worn !

13 Mar 2011 11:17p.m.

Kate wrote:

I have cycled from the age of nine,31 ish years! with no cycle helmet but a healthy respect for road safety.This was in the Uk.We had a cycling proficiency test at the age of nine which gave us a cool triangular badge! and a safe start to cycling.I cycled all through my school and working life,even in central London, with no problems.The freedom was a fabulous feeling.I have no doubt that the extra cost/inconvenience/discomfort and image problems associated with wearing a helmet would have put a stop to this for me as a teenager.It is so sad to come to a beautiful country like NZ and see so few kids cycling.But I know how they must feel.My son arrives at school with sweaty wet hair, has no covered cycle shed to leave his bike, and has to carry his helmet around with him all day -what a pain! Needless to say if anyone knows where we could vote regarding this issue ,I would love to know.

05 Mar 2011 12:02p.m.

ivan wrote:

make helmets compulsory only for thoses under 20 and let the over 20s make the desicion for them selfs