Cook Islands – helmets made compulsory

[Bob]

Helmets will become compulsory on the Cook Islands from 12th April. Failure to wear a helmet while riding will be punishable by an instant $100 fine.

[fergie]

oh well that will take the fun out of hooning around the island. must say that when i was there last year it felt very un nerving not having a lid on, or long pants or boots for that matter! considering i wont go 2ks down the road at the beach without all the gear.

[Grahameeboy]

oh well that will take the fun out of hooning around the island. must say that when i was there last year it felt very un nerving not having a lid on, or long pants or boots for that matter! considering i wont go 2ks down the road at the beach without all the gear.

Makes sense as a lot of holiday guys have accidents on those step thrus..

[Mom]

End of an era, and the locals are none too happy about it. Kind of a shame though.

I first went to Rarotonga in the mid eighties. Back then it was a quiet tropical island, with almost no shopping and very few cars on the road. Buzzing around without a helmet was no worries, the open road speed limit is only 60kph, everyone on the roads were in no hurry, so you just puttered along happy as.

I went to Rarotonga last year and was amazed at the number of cars and bikes on the road. The "island time" attitude seems to have changed. In the main village it was bedlam negotiating the main road. Speeds seem to have increased (not the speed limit mind) it is just much busier.

I will have to take my own helmet with me when I next go, imagine wearing a hire one.

[sweetp]

Yuck, hire helmets. It kinda gives you the willies! Good call on taking your own, not only does it save on the icky factor but could you imagine what bad fits they will be?

Bowling shoes anyone?

[BiK3RChiK]

I will have to take my own helmet with me when I next go, imagine wearing a hire one.

Ewww... gross! No thanks!!

I never thought of this before but how does one pack a helmet for going overseas? I would be worried about it getting damaged...

[Mom]

Ewww... gross! No thanks!!

I never thought of this before but how does one pack a helmet for going overseas? I would be worried about it getting damaged...

Soft cloth helmet bag as carry on luggage. I dont bother with any carry on luggage usually, just one more thing to keep track of, so easy peasy to carry your helemt on and stow in the overhead lockers, or at a push ask the lovely cabin staff to stow it away for you. They are good like that!

[fergie]

you could always take some of those paper throwaway shower type caps to wear under your helmet.

[iceqwn]

Damn, i've booked my trip for the 24th of April! Going to get my Raro full bike licence so it should be interesting! Might take my own helmet or hair nets sound good too! haha.. Thanx for the heads up

[FzerozeroT]

I heard the other day that the law got abolished, the details were a bit fuzzy but went along the lines of - If you want to speed wear a helmet, otherwise they will give you a ticket.

Hear that NZ police, if we wear helmets we should be allowed to speed.

I just went to Raro and Atutaki, was great, reminds me of small town NZ of my youth, EVERYTHING closes at 5!

[bistard]

Damn, i've booked my trip for the 24th of April! Going to get my Raro full bike licence so it should be interesting! Might take my own helmet or hair nets sound good too! haha.. Thanx for the heads up

We are flying out on the 29th,going to a mates wedding at Muri beach,I was not aware of the new helmet law,makes me think we should take our helmets,dont like the idea of greasy smelly hire helmets
I might see you in a bar somewhere??

[Maha]

I heard the other day that the law got abolished, the details were a bit fuzzy but went along the lines of - If you want to speed wear a helmet, otherwise they will give you a ticket.

Hear that NZ police, if we wear helmets we should be allowed to speed.

I just went to Raro and Atutaki, was great, reminds me of small town NZ of my youth, EVERYTHING closes at 5!


We are flying out on the 29th,going to a mates wedding at Muri beach,I was not aware of the new helmet law,makes me think we should take our helmets,dont like the idea of greasy smelly hire helmets
I might see you in a bar somewhere??

Muri is beautiful, we were there last September and were out every day on the scooters and found the most amazing places to eat and swim...will get back there soon.
Pic 1....Same beach as your pic Fzerozero
Pic 2....A must stop and eat place, owner is a hardcase and the food is fantastic
Pic3... Muri Lagoon

[Jimmy B]

We are flying out on the 29th,going to a mates wedding at Muri beach,I was not aware of the new helmet law,makes me think we should take our helmets,dont like the idea of greasy smelly hire helmets
I might see you in a bar somewhere??

Freaky, we are as well and staying at the Rarotongan for 10 nights or so. Im a bit iffy on the details cause Mrs JB is running the show but leave on the 29th

Ive never been to Raro and looking forward to it. Anyone been out fishin, whats the must see stuff?

My profile has a pic of me so if I'm spotted feel free to say hi.

[Maha]

Freaky, we are as well and staying at the Rarotongan for 10 nights or so. Im a bit iffy on the details cause Mrs JB is running the show but leave on the 29th

Ive never been to Raro and looking forward to it. Anyone been out fishin, whats the must see stuff?

My profile has a pic of me so if I'm spotted feel free to say hi.

These pics are of a very cool small place to dine out...better in the evening.
The bloke that owns the place is called Chris, hes one of lifes good bastards, its basically his house with a small eating area as you can see, probably sets 12 people? He will cook on the deck if its a B-B-Q or the kitchen? I had Prawns/Steak when we were there...fucken yum!
I will check on the name of the place, its Wind something?

We stayed at the Edgewater Resort....

[Jimmy B]

Wicked and thanks for the Pics MM. Looks like my kind of place.

[Toaster]

Stink! I have great memories of hooning about on a scooter with the wind in my hair (yes I did have my fly up this time....)

[LilSel]

My parents got back from Rarotonga YESTERDAY....

Dad got his full motobike licence whilst there...

They were telling me about the new 'helmet law'.... however it has be abolished.....

There was a petition of 4000 (?) odd signatures.... mum n dad were telling me how the police fella there was from NZ & initiated the new 'law'... but that such a fuss was kicked up they revoked it?!...


Soooo.... take ya helmets if ya want... (I would)... but it seems as though they are still not required by law to be worn there.


now dad has his bike licence... he has his eye on a 2005 VX750?!... (I googled that n found nothing??... no idea what kinda bike that is, cant find pics... but he said its about $9k)....

Kinda a bit bummed actually... took me two years to get my full... they go on holiday n dad comes back with a licence!!... mum has always said he's not allowed a bike... but since I got one... well... so is he lol...

Fireball has been egging him on too :(!!!

Ah well... guess that means I get to use his bike when he gets one!

[Korumba]

I hope they are not up grading there exhaust laws at the same time.....
This Island Can would have to go!

[Maha]

I hope they are not up grading there exhaust laws at the same time.....
This Island Can would have to go!

Dats Norf Island tho aye?

[Maha]

I hope they are not up grading there exhaust laws at the same time.....
This Island Can would have to go!

I did spy this baby at the Saturday Markets when i ducked around the back for a piss.

[Korumba]

I spied this honey there as well.

[Ripperjon]

definitely a good thing though.

Especially for idiots like me. I caned myself near Muri beach on a rental moped thingy a few years ago. Ripped my arms up a bit and wrote the poor thing off (And it had 0kms when i picked it up) :doh:

I had no bike experience at the time and it honestly didn't occur to me that i was wearing no protection at all... 'til i hit the asphalt.

I was on a plane flight to the UK the next day and my right arm blew up like a balloon (a sort of greeny red one)

But the pain was bearable compared to how much of a wanker i felt when i returned the bike. It was insured, but still, what a wanker.:no: