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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-05-17 Daily Xml
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BICYCLE HELMETS

The Hon. M. PARNELL (15:04): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, representing the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, on the subject of bicycle helmets.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M. PARNELL: The issue of compulsory helmet wearing for cyclists is the subject of much debate in the cycling and broader community. Advocates for compulsory helmets argue that it increases rider safety by reducing the severity of head injuries in the event of an accident. I, for one, have worn a helmet long before it become compulsory. On the other hand, opponents say that it is a major impediment to more people getting involved in cycling.

For example, there is anecdotal evidence that the phenomenon of helmet hair is a disincentive for many people riding bikes, particularly women riding bikes. It is also recognised that compulsory helmet use is a major obstacle to widespread use of point to point bike lending schemes, such as those in France.

Australia is the only country in the world, aside from New Zealand, to have an all-ages requirement to wear helmets. Israel repealed its compulsory helmet laws last year, after a four-year trial. Having cycled in dozens of countries around the world, I know from experience that cycling in the humid conditions of the Mekong Delta is far more comfortable in a conical hat than in a plastic and foam bicycle helmet; however, I digress.

Recently, the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Stephen Yarwood, weighed into the debate, suggesting that cyclists should be given the option of wearing a helmet in the Adelaide CBD once city streets were made safe for cyclists. I also note that the government's own bicycling strategy for South Australia is entitled Safety in Numbers, in recognition of the fact that the more cyclists on our roads the safer our roads will be for cyclists.

Finally, I remind members that for every year of the last 11 years there have been more bicycles sold in Australia than cars and that there are more Australians who own bicycles than who own cars. My questions are:

1. What research has been done by the South Australian government into the merits of compulsory bike helmets being worn on South Australian roads?

2. Would the minister support a trial of non-mandatory helmet wearing for adult cyclists in the Adelaide CBD?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:06): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions on bicycle helmets and helmet hair. I would imagine that part of the answer—

The Hon. G.E. Gago: Which you never suffer from, Ian.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: —no, well, less and less so as time goes by—would belie the statement he made in regard to more bicycles being sold than cars. It seems, therefore, that compulsory helmet use doesn't seem to be much of an impediment to people buying bicycles, but I will undertake to take that question to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure in another place and seek a response on his behalf.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway would be concerned about that hair. The Hon. Mr Lucas.

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