Exemptions to the helmet law

**Kwaka-Kid** · 29th September 2003, 09:17

no 750Y, came off Jennian homes as back tyre slipped, barrell rolled it over a few times on the grass and threw me too, heh.

**SPman** · 29th September 2003, 17:57

Originally posted by Marmoot
By the way, does anyone know whether it is illegal or not to wear helmets in car on public roads?

Its not illegal as far as I know. Knew of a Surgeon in Auck. A&E who used to wear a helmet going to work in his car.....sawto many head injuries and it got to him a bit............

**MikeL** · 29th September 2003, 21:06

And coming back to the original topic...

If the argument for wearing a helmet is so compelling that it is enshrined in law, what then is the justification for allowing exemptions? Either it should apply to everyone, or it should not be law. Compromising by imposing a speed restriction is ridiculous. What is the maximum speed allowed? 50 km/h? Is an unprotected head hitting the road at 50 km/h considered an acceptable risk? If a Sikh or a member of any other religious or ethnic group doesn't want to wear a helmet because it violates deeply held religious or cultural beliefs, he can simply not ride. Nobody is forcing him onto a bike. Tolerance of cultural and religious traditions is a good thing but where those traditions come into conflict with our own well-established laws and customs there should be no compromise. I seem to recall an outcry over the practice of female circumcision among African immigrants. Did we say: "Yes, we agree that this practice is of cultural significance to you, even though it is cruel and dangerous, so we'll allow you to continue to do it, as long as you leave at least half of the clitoris intact..." ??

**wkid_one** · 29th September 2003, 21:22

Originally posted by Kwaka-Kid
no 750Y, came off Jennian homes as back tyre slipped, barrell rolled it over a few times on the grass and threw me too, heh.

No KK - the tire rolled off its motorway grooves and on to the chicken strips on the side and fell in - and you stood the bike up......

Remember I saw the tyres - there was a bloody ridge 1.5inches from the edge of the tyre - LOL

**wkid_one** · 29th September 2003, 21:26

PS - you been practising GP enuf to risk another whooping KK?

**Jackrat** · 29th September 2003, 22:04

As far as people wearing a turban go,s great as long as they don,t get ACC cover that I pay tax,es for I don,t care.As in fuck em,.That go,s for gang members as well,Fuck em, let them die.
I used to wear open faces a lot years ago,,then for no reason other than comfort I got me a nice full face.About three weeks later I had my second big get off in years of riding.I became one of those 1 in 1 thosand mentioned in an earlier reply.Glass worn to the foam from chin to ear,back of lid smashed in.

The law don,t mean as much as my wish to keep my face
so I now wear a full face always.While I pay tax to ACC nobody should be riding any thing with out a helmet.Most people who die in cars die from head injurys so maybe them to,,definatly when I,m out an about in my 4x4(Sorry officer I did,nt see the car ):

Hey It works for them if I,m on me bike,Right.
Jack.

**Kwaka-Kid** · 29th September 2003, 23:39

nah sorry wkid, aint touched it scince i got whooped by you.

and exactly, that tyre had the biggest strips.. and i went down down down lower lower lower SLIDE a little on back tyre... then borught back upright and took onto grass and barrell rolled... ? anywas what diff did that make? thats what i said only in not so many words isnt it?!

**What?** · 30th September 2003, 09:15

Originally posted by Jackrat
As far as people wearing a turban go,s great as long as they don,t get ACC cover

Too bloody right. In fact, I'd like to see ACC got rid of, coz I don't see why my bike rego should pay to fix up rugby league players...

**Coldkiwi** · 30th September 2003, 12:59

I agree with these sentiments. If you don't want to do what you can to minimise injuries, no one else should have to do their part to minimise your costs when you're in intensive care. Of course, that would inevitably mean some irresponsible bloke will have a nasty off, not have enough money to look after himself and then it just gets unpleasant for his family etc etc.... so instead, how about this:

1) wear a helmet, pay your levy and get covered by ACC

2) don't have to wear a helmet, don't pay ACC levy but you must have $100,000 paid as a bond to get your licence so you CAN pay for your own medical bills

**bluninja** · 30th September 2003, 13:19

CK the problem with this is not about what's right or wrong, but what's practical. If someone chooses not to wear a helmet how will plod (or anyone else) know if they have insurance/bond/waiver in case of injury.

I would like people all to have a choice as to the level of protection they use when riding, but I also realise that in the real world this is not practical where helmets is concerned....though I can ride a bike wearing nothing but an open face helmet and a pair of shorts.....and if I come off it's going to cost loads in medical care...even though my head is intact. Maybe leathers, gloves, boots, and a back protector should be compulsory too.

TTFN

**Lou Girardin** · 30th September 2003, 15:47

Gee! Maybe we shouldn't be allowed to ride motorcycles at all. After all, they're so dangerous. Everyone knows that and ACC even charges us more too!

When sports people pay a surcharge for all their injuries that we have to pay for, then I'll support compulsory everything.
Lou

**Coldkiwi** · 30th September 2003, 17:43

It would be easy to police, just have a different licence or a "H" plate! (ok, I see your point)

good call Lou... most would consider it irresponsible to NOT minimise the risks as much as practical when riding a bike (err.. .excluding the way some of us go fanging in the w/e?) but there's very few precautions taken in all the other non-registered sports that generate injuries and bills its grating to have to spend so much time debating these apparently minor points. not that I think they're minor... I would be a vege if I my parents hadn't made me wear a bicycle helmet when I cycled to school in Hawaii (non-compulsory helmets). I crashed for some unknown reason one day and completely destroyed the side of my helmet against the curb. Sobering experience. It put all the grief other kids gave me for wearing one into sharp contrast!

**What?** · 1st October 2003, 08:59

Originally posted by Coldkiwi
when I cycled to school in Hawaii (non-compulsory helmets). I crashed for some unknown reason one day

Tired, probably. It is a long way from Howick to Hawaii.

Drifting off topic a little here, but ACC is one of those things that just keeps on poking it's ugly head up! Remember the case of the guy who got a lump sum from ACC when he broke his leg during a prison escape attempt? Now, where do you think the money came from - prisoner's ACC levies??

**aff-man** · 2nd October 2003, 10:42

Just saw about 30 harley riders going the other way down the motorway without helmets anf feck-all gear. About 7km down the road see a police car giving it balls trying to catch up. heheheh. These really doesn't improve the not very clever harley rider thoery

but are the protesting something or just being wankers????. Still it would be funny to see a single police vehicle trying to pull over 30 hard-ass harley guys