Are we pedalling before we can crawl?

‘‘Helmet laws a distraction’’ (Editorial, Mar 15) was a great piece. However, while we now see cycleways in Amsterdam and in fact all over the Netherlands, this actually started in the 1970s, when laws were put in place to keep drivers a safe distance from cyclists. These laws make road cycling safe in most of Europe.

New Zealand is trying to run before it can walk with the cycleways. The Government needs to put laws in place first to give safe passage to all cyclists with a mandatory cyclist passing distance. It will be the first time that cyclists have a legal right on New Zealand roads as most have to use the road to get to these precious cycleways. Lucinda Rees

Rangiora RD5

A hole in the head

The person who wrote your editorial on bike helmit laws is talking out of a hole in their head.

How ludicrous to support the notion that the wearing of safety helmets encourages a view of cycling as dangerous. Where’s the comparative report saying the same about car safety belts, air bags and child safety seats?

Of course there is a risk of injury any time someone takes to the road, whether cyclist or driver (or pedestrian, for that matter). So the taking of precautions against possible injury makes total sense. And I should know: Last April I was knocked off my bike by a driver who opened his door without looking. Thank goodness I was wearing my helmet, otherwise I may not be here to write this letter.

Which raises another point. To what extent do the number of cars on the road contribute to this increased accident rate?

One thing which has created the impression of cycling as a dangerous activity, though, are the new cycle lanes, many of which are, in your own words, ‘‘physically separating cyclists from cars’’. Their creation has caused resentment towards people on bikes.

No, your editorial is nothing more than a veiled exercise in excusing motorists who can’t be bothered to use the legs God gave them and get on a bike, or walk.

Law or no law, I’m sticking to my helmet. Jason Collins

Strowan

Adults should have a choice

What a poor and biased article. It refers to articles from around the world describing how cycle helmets are not a universal success and then concludes that it will only be worth looking at when Christchurch is as safe as Amsterdam.

What rot! There are hundreds of millions of people in Britain and Europe riding without helmets but apparently it won’t be safe in New Zealand.

Comparing riding along a cycle trail, usually a long-disused railway track, with riding the Port Hills is pathetic. If an adult cannot decide for themselves what is likely to be a safe activity and one that is potentially dangerous, they should not be out on their own.

Interesting that the number of people being fined is much higher in Canterbury than anywhere else. Are holiday areas treated differently so as not to upset the tourists?

Have a look around Mount Manganui, Wanaka or Queenstown. There are plenty of riders without helmets. Then there is Dunedin full of students and people riding skateboards down the middle of the road – no helmets required of course.

Time for a law change. Anyone under 16 has to wear a helmet, otherwise decide for yourself. There, that’s not too difficult, is it? Roy Hilton

Pleasant Point