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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
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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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According to the University of Sydney, claims that cycle use in Australia has recovered from the falls brought about by helmet laws are a myth.
The study, published in the journal World Transport Policy and Practice, demonstrates that on a per capita basis there were 37.5 percent fewer Australians riding bikes in 2011 than in 1985-86. Population growth has been three times that of recent increases in cycling trips.
While Australia's reported cycling 'boom' over the past decade has seen increasing numbers of cyclists, there has been an effective decline in per capita cycling participation over 25 years, according to the study.
"If even just 10 percent more people were cycling instead of driving at any given time, traffic congestion would be significantly reduced on Australian roads with a commensurate reduction in risk to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists," Professor Rissel, from the University's School of Public Health, said.
The health benefits from recreational exercise and environmental gains from reduced CO2 emissions would also be substantial, he added.
"The most likely major deterrent to more people cycling is helmet legislation, which is a significant feature of the cycling environment in Australia."
"Well over half a million more Australians could be riding bicycles if we didn't have mandatory helmet laws, according to research I conducted last year which showed one in five adults surveyed in Sydney said they would ride a bicycle more if they did not have to wear a helmet," Professor Rissel said.
Australia has a low cycling rate compared with most countries and the international consensus is that the mandatory bicycle helmet laws, introduced in 1990-1992, are a significant contributor to this lack of participation.
Thu 28 Jun 2012
