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Helmet laws discourage the safest cyclists
Researchers in Norway have looked into possible reasons why there is no good evide
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Australian cycling boom a myth
According to the University of Sydney, claims that cycle use in Australia has rec
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Town drops helmet law to reduce its risks
For 15 years, until June 1, Milton, population 7,000, 45 minutes south of Seattle
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Vancouver acknowledges that helmet law could scupper bike-share
Responding to comments from the European Cyclists' Federation that the province's
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Switzerland rejects child helmet law
The Swiss Government has decisively thrown out a proposal to make it mandatory fo
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Campaign group stops publicising events that require helmet use
Scottish cycling campaign group Spokes, which has an extensive membership among c
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Perth mayor backs calls for law relaxation
The Lord Mayor of Perth has now joined Sydney, Adelaide and Fremantle in Australi
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Men cycle faster with helmets?
According to research undertaken in Bordeaux, France, men who used a helmet for t
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Responding to comments from the European Cyclists' Federation that the province's helmet law could jeopardise the city's proposed bike-share scheme, Vancouver's transportation manager, Jerry Dobrovonly acknowledged that British Columbia's helmet law poses the "biggest risk" in getting the rental system off the ground and may potentially result in the program being shelved.
Dobrvonly said the city is negotiating with Alta Bike Share to provide bikes and helmets, to make sure that helmets are easily accessible, are cleaned and disinfected after every use, and are replaced if they're involved in a fall or crash. Alta realizes the helmet issue could risk the viability of the business.
"Even if they have a solution that works but the public perceives [helmets] as an obstacle, then they may be looking at lower ridership, usage and lower revenue," Dobrovolny said, adding Vancouver also wants to be assured of a faster uptake in its program than that experienced in law cities like Melbourne.
Ceri Woolsgrove, road safety officer with the European Cyclists' Federation which is jointly organising the international cycling conference Velo City that starts in Vancouver next week, said cities with mandatory helmet laws tend to see fewer cyclists in bike-share programs compared with those that don't. Bike-share schemes in helmetless European cities, for instance, are flourishing.
"[Bike-sharing] seems to be such a good investment; it's really taken off in Paris and all over Europe," said Woolsgrove. "It'll be a shame if it doesn't take off in Vancouver because of the helmet law."
Between 2006 and 2011, Vancouver Police data show 7,871 tickets were issued to cyclists for failing to wear a helmet.
Fri 22 Jun 2012
