Helmet controversy comes to a head

When cyclist Rob Stone was involved in a crash three years ago he broke his arm and collarbone, suffered gravel rash and hit his head on the ground.

‘‘I had a really long crack which went from one end of the helmet right through to the other,’’ the Taranaki man said.

‘‘Broken arms and collarbones heal but head trauma is a different matter.’’

Stone is totally against calls to reform current helmet laws, which require them to be worn at all times.

Debate has been raging in the media all week and advocacy group Choice Biking is holding a protest in Wellington today in a bid to encourage reform of the laws and want adults to be able to choose.

Over the last four years, Central Districts Police have given out 3447 fines to cyclists without helmets.

But Stone, who is the secretary of the Stratford Road Cycling Club, said riders should ‘‘absolutely’’ wear helmets, as even on cycleways you could still crash at low speed, he said.

‘‘Riding on the Coastal Walkway is concrete and if you fall off you’re still going to hit your head.’’

Stone is not alone, New Plymouth surf coach Daisy Day, who suffered multiple injuries in a mountain biking crash on New Year’s Eve 2017, agrees helmets should always be worn.

‘‘Even along the walkway, I’ve even had a wee crash there.

‘‘I really don’t know why they don’t want to wear helmets.

‘‘It appears to be more personal choice at the moment or freedom of choice.

‘‘I’m not going to quibble at $300 for a really good helmet.

‘‘It’s only $300 compared to all those hospital visits if you fall off and bang your head like I did.’’

Cyclist Mark Hooper said the fact that the issue is being discussed is a sign that the culture around cycling is changing.

‘‘It’s been slow coming in New Zealand...It might be the beginning of a culture change discussion,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t think we’re at the stage yet where we can go without helmets.’’

Wife Merryn Hooper said she remembered the law change to make helmets compulsory in 1994 and thought it would be ‘‘preposterous’’ to go back.

‘‘It’s about responsibility as a society, not just as an individual .’’ Owner of Mitchell Cycle sin New Plymouth, Blair Cox, said while he recommended helmets he also felt individuals could take responsibility for their own safety.

‘‘I think we should take responsibility as to whether we do or we don’t,’’ he said.

‘‘I travel to countries where there’s not a helmet law and on occasions I have chosen not to wear a helmet, but there’s no way I

wouldn’t wear a helmet on those open roads.

‘‘I’m very aware of what’s around me and that’s where a lot of the problems are – people aren’t.’’

He said after he and a group of

cyclists got hit, he suggested that the driver do some cycling as part of his rehabilitation.

‘‘I believe as part of our car licences people should be made to ride a bike to get an idea of what it is to cycle.’’