Cyclists wanting to get rid of compulsory helmet wearing

**Woodman** · 29th July 2010, 21:51

Now come on, let the cyclists do what they want. Cyclists are perfect in every way .
They shouldn't have to follow the law and should be able to do whatever they want on the road even though they contribute nothing towards it as cyclists.
I actually feel inferior to these paragons of perfectness every time I use the road in my car or on my motorbike.

**Devil** · 29th July 2010, 21:57

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

They are saying it puts people off going for a casual ride.

Somehow I don't think it would go down too well with tptb if motorcyclists came at that. (They're not impressed with the cyclists, so I think it is safe to say that the preceding sentence is true...)

Got a reference?

I dont think people realise how easy it is to get a serious head injury, even from a stationary fall. My old boss fell off his mountainbike at low speed. He had his helmet on but not done up. Took over a year till he was all there again.

**onearmedbandit** · 29th July 2010, 23:09

I love cyclists. They get upset quite easily. Like when they are leaning against your car at the lights, and while they're not looking you jolt your car forward. Take the hint buddy.

**Woodman** · 29th July 2010, 23:23

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

I love cyclists. They get upset quite easily. Like when they are leaning against your car at the lights, and while they're not looking you jolt your car forward. Take the hint buddy.

Haha good work.

Drove into nelson the other week and one cyclists went round a car at a red light and cut in front of cars on the green, then a few minutes down the road a bunch of flouro racers were riding on the wrong side of the road in the car lane. And you can bet your ass if any of them got hit by a car they would take the moral high ground and the car driver would be to blame.

Also there was another incident here recently where 2 cyclists ran into a pedestrian on a footpath and the Police said that it was just one of those things and no charges were laid.

They are really starting to piss me off

**Berries** · 29th July 2010, 23:30

Used to commute by push bike in the UK. Good for wheelies and general anti social behaviour. In 14 years in NZ I have never ridden one, purely due to the helmet law. I wouldn't ride a motorbike without one, but I wouldn't ride a push bike with one.

**onearmedbandit** · 30th July 2010, 00:05

Originally Posted by Woodman

Haha good work.

Drove into nelson the other week and one cyclists went round a car at a red light and cut in front of cars on the green, then a few minutes down the road a bunch of flouro racers were riding on the wrong side of the road in the car lane. And you can bet your ass if any of them got hit by a car they would take the moral high ground and the car driver would be to blame.

Also there was another incident here recently where 2 cyclists ran into a pedestrian on a footpath and the Police said that it was just one of those things and no charges were laid.

They are really starting to piss me off

Girlfriend and I saw a good one not too long ago. We were in the car coming up Riccarton Rd (very busy road both vehicles and pedestrians) slowing for a red light at the T intersection at Matipo St. Cyclist wearing all the gear comes flying up the inside with no intention of stopping for the red light, until at the very last moment a group of pedestrians start to cross on the green crossing signal. The cyclist hit the front brakes and flipped over the bars, landing on a couple of the pedestrians. Oh how I laughed.

**Brian d marge** · 30th July 2010, 04:15

Originally Posted by Wannabiker

I used to think bicycle helmets were a waste of time too...until I had an off at the mountainbike nationals in Rotorua and put a crack through the front of my helmet...... I didnt even realise my head had hit the ground.

I tried to break the helmet completely by jumping up and down on it after the race, but struggled to do any further damage, as the polystyrene had a kevlar band around the circumfrence which held it all together. It must have been a pretty good impact to split it!!!

I have had many bicycle crashes over the years, including getting bowled by cars, most of which were before the time of compulsory helmets. (when I started road racing we wore the leather banana helmets). It must have been luck that I had avoided a serious head injury.

Lets just say...I wouldnt ride without one now. They are not expensive (in relative terms). Most people wouldnt worry about buying a $200. pair of running shoes, but wouldnt put a $50 value on their head.

+12

low speed crashes hurt , I cycle a lot and haven't had the miss( sic) fortune of hitting my head .( I do that on motorcycles , hand stand on a garelli when working in Greece , over we went , big ouchy)

On saying that i cycle here in Tokyo 13 km each way , and no helmet ( well theres nothing to protect , no not even a cod piece , it broke years ago when i pulled it to hard)

the key is separating all forms of transport , cars and mc , bikes , the shanks pony

oh and shpandex i just luv Spandex

Stephen

**awayatc** · 30th July 2010, 07:02

Originally Posted by Berries

Used to commute by push bike in the UK. Good for wheelies and general anti social behaviour. In 14 years in NZ I have never ridden one, purely due to the helmet law. I wouldn't ride a motorbike without one, but I wouldn't ride a push bike with one.

same for me.
I grew up in Holland where everybody goes on pushbikes everywhere.
Never touched a pushbike in NZ since that helmet law came in.
If I have to put on a helmet I grab the motorbike.....

**Genie** · 30th July 2010, 07:09

Was just discussing this topic yesterday. When the law came in to wear helmets I was ridng all of the show with my son in a little child seat on the back....I swore I'd never wear a helmet! What happened....we got knocked off by some derranged pervert and my sons' helmet prevented ...God knows what, but the helmet did not survive???

I wear one almost every time I ride my pushbike, especially with the Doberman running along side, the only time I don't is when i'm doing a quick dash up the Railway Reserve.

The roads are a lot busier than 15 years ago when the law came in and I think they should keep it law. It maybe 'your' head but who pays the bills should you be brain damaged for life - doesn't make sense when a $50 dollar helmet can save you.

and really, who cares about hemet hair!

**Pixie** · 30th July 2010, 08:09

Originally Posted by Wannabiker

I used to think bicycle helmets were a waste of time too...until I had an off at the mountainbike nationals in Rotorua and put a crack through the front of my helmet...... I didnt even realise my head had hit the ground.

I tried to break the helmet completely by jumping up and down on it after the race, but struggled to do any further damage, as the polystyrene had a kevlar band around the circumfrence which held it all together. It must have been a pretty good impact to split it!!!

I have had many bicycle crashes over the years, including getting bowled by cars, most of which were before the time of compulsory helmets. (when I started road racing we wore the leather banana helmets). It must have been luck that I had avoided a serious head injury.

Lets just say...I wouldnt ride without one now. They are not expensive (in relative terms). Most people wouldnt worry about buying a $200. pair of running shoes, but wouldnt put a $50 value on their head.

The problem with cycle helmets is that they are designed to protect the front of the head and give little protection to the side of the head.
Why is this a problem?
Well,the skull is very good at protecting the brain from a face plant at low speeds.It has evolved that way as cavemen usually fall over this way.
Usually due to not paying attention to where they are walking and tripping -they might be distracted by a hot cavechick,f'rinstance.
Hit the side of the head with a helmet on,like you would falling sideways off a bike and you are rooted,because cycle helmets don't cover this kind of impact.

**Swoop** · 30th July 2010, 08:14

I'm all for letting the lycra-louts' lose their helmets.
It simply allows Mr Darwin to cull the crop a lot faster. Hopefully those who like to ride in large groups will be culled at a lot faster rate.

**ckai** · 30th July 2010, 08:48

See I thought the law was changed on the down low that said only under 16's or something are required to wear helmets by law? Everyone else isn't worth saving if they don't wanna be saved

Originally Posted by Wannabiker

I have had many bicycle crashes over the years, including getting bowled by cars, most of which were before the time of compulsory helmets. (when I started road racing we wore the leather banana helmets). It must have been luck that I had avoided a serious head injury.

hahah shit I remember those. God you looked like a muppet with one of those things on. I used to like wearing the old man's one with goggles and jump in the peddle car pretending I was a pilot.

Ahh good times.

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

I love cyclists. They get upset quite easily. Like when they are leaning against your car at the lights, and while they're not looking you jolt your car forward. Take the hint buddy.

What the fuck has happened to the world and everyone's lack of respect!!!!??? Is it your car? No! So don't fucken touch it unless you ask. Touch their bikes and see what they say!

Shit, I don't even look at good friends $5k + racing bikes without asking. Simple respect.

But moving on. I don't ride without my lid. Doesn't matter what 2 wheels I ride. My choice my brain. Don't wear a lid, don't expect $1mill to fund your "get taught to chew again" sessions.

It's like doing a snowsport without a helmet. Your choice, but you can't complain when the shit hits the fan. They're not even compulsory but god it's saved me I don't know how many times. That's after all my buddies said I was a moron for not having one.

**aprilia_RS250** · 30th July 2010, 09:06

I once saw the tension cyclists experience with cars and vice versa. I was behind a car who was behind a wonna be Lance Armstrong on Tamaki drive. Old bugger he was, probably still running off the viagra from the night before. Anyway he was right in the middle of the lane, and was doing about 25kmh. The car in front was getting extremely anxious. The guy sat on the horn for a whole min, Lance moved far over to the left and the guy in the car pulls up right next to him and I assume starts yelling abuse. Then Lance proceeds with ignoring him and grabs his drink bottle and squirts inside the car, funniest shit I saw. Then I see a half eaten apple flying out and hitting Lance's head, but Lance was smart enough to wear a helmet!