Jump to content

Cycle helmets compulsory?


Jaco Steyn

Recommended Posts

Can anyone shed some light regading the current legislation about wearing helmets when cycling, including ordinary commuting to work and back? The company I work for will be prohibiting access to bicycles from 1 October 2007 if the rider does not have a helmet on.  Is the compulsory wearing of a helmet part of the road act?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont want to sound like Arnie, but why would you want to cycle without a helmet anyway? There are so many variety helmets on the market, most good helmets also look good.

So you get helmet hair,Shocked So does everyone else. 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am not disputing the fact that it is much safer to wear a helmet. It is just that I have been asked by a colleague regarding this matter. He wants to contest that rule if it is not part of the road traffic act. I politely told him that he is a numb-nut for not wanting to wear a helmet, but he is the type of person that also does not wear a safety belt when driving. Specific references/links would be appreciated. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

on my way to work this morning(wearing my seat belt), i was thinking about this story, when i climb onto my bike its like second nature, helmet is on and don't even think about it, what would be weird is ridding without one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

putting my helmet on before getting on my bike is second nature, like wearing underwear or drinking coffee in the morning..

 

having said that, i am amazed at how often i see guys training without helmets, esp. when we ride on the east rand (no offense to east randers)

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Further info: In October 2004, regulation 207(2) of the National Road Traffic Act, 1993(Act No.93 of 1996), became effective after being passed three years earlier.

The regulation orders the compulsory wearing of a protective helmet that is properly fastened and fitted while riding a bicycle or being carried as a passenger.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

COMPULSORY PROTECTIVE HELMETS FOR ALL CYCLISTS

 

 

 

 

 

Many cyclists of all ages have been breaking the law, by not wearing their helmets as required by the National Road Traffic Act, 1993(Act No.93 of 1996).

 

 

 

 

 

A chief traffic officer confirmed that it was illegal to ride a bicycle without a helmet and said an enforcement of the law would follow a public awareness campaign.

 

He said that the department had not been enforcing the four-month-old law, blaming the three-year interval between the passing of the law and the date of effective enforcement.

 

"It would be unfair to enforce the law while nobody knows about it," the traffic officer said.

 

"To be honest, I don't think any provinces have done anything about this yet. An education drive needs to be launched to make the public aware of the new law."

 

 

 

 

 

In October 2004, regulation 207(2) of the National Road Traffic Regulation became effective after being passed three years earlier.

 

The regulation orders the compulsory wearing of a protective helmet that is properly fastened and fitted while riding a bicycle or being carried as a passenger.

 

Traffic department officials will be meeting soon with chief magistrates to decide upon a suitable penalty for breaking the helmet law.

 

An Arrive Alive provincial spokesperson in the Border Area was unclear as to whether wearing helmets was compulsory for cyclists when asked by the Daily Dispatch, but he said he would "obviously prefer it to be so".

 

Border Cycling's Kevin Vincent said that he had had "a suspicion" that the law had been passed last year, but had "heard nothing about it".

 

"Nothing's been published and steps should be taken, not just by our local traffic department but nationally, to start warning people of the law."

 

South African Cycling Federation officials body chairman Craig Hawtrey said that international cycling rules had prescribed the use of helmets for racing cyclists since the beginning of last year, and he welcomed the introduction of the same law for leisure cyclists.

 

 

 

 

 

"Helmets are usually brightly coloured, making the cyclist more visible on the road.

 

"But helmets are expensive so if it is compulsory to wear them they should be made more accessible."

 

Helmets priced at a local cycling shop ranged in price from R95 to R1250.

 

 

 

 

 

The head of the department of trauma at Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, Professor Sebastian von As, said that the wearing of helmets for children will reduce the number of deaths caused by head injuries associated with being knocked over or falling off a bicycle.

 

Injuries such as a fractured skull can cause underlying brain damage and bleeding, leading to death.

 

"One of the biggest killers of children under the age of 18 worldwide is trauma and head injuries," said Von As.

 

"Obviously wearing protective gear like a helmet will reduce the number of accidents."

 

 

 

 

 

He cautioned parents not to be blas? about where children wear their helmets.

 

"Nearly all accidents happen close to home and the majority are within one kilometre radius of the home. There is simply no excuse not to wear a helmet."

 

 

 

 

 

Arrive Alive offered the following tips to cycle safely with a helmet:

 

* Always wear cycle helmets to prevent head injuries;

 

* Replace any damaged helmets for maximum protection. Helmets must fit properly to be safe; and

 

* Helmets only work once. If a helmet has been in a collision that required the inner lining to absorb shock, buy another one! Even though the damage may not be visible, the shock absorbing qualities may be deadened.

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

putting my helmet on before getting on my bike is second nature' date=' like wearing underwear or drinking coffee in the morning..

having said that, i am amazed at how often i see guys training without helmets, esp. when we ride on the east rand (no offense to east randers)
[/quote']

 

I totaly agree, putting my helmet on is second nature, but maybe the East Randers are just hard headed?? Big%20smile
Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of the problems is, open any cycling magazine and you'll see pics of professionals riding races without helmets. This doesn't project a good image. Agreed that most of the time they do wear helmets, but it should be all of the time, not most of the time. Maybe I'm missing something about professional riding.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of the problems is' date=' open any cycling magazine and you'll see pics of professionals riding races without helmets. This doesn't project a good image. Agreed that most of the time they do wear helmets, but it should be all of the time, not most of the time. Maybe I'm missing something about professional riding.[/quote']

 

That's why they are only pro cyclist, not smart enough to get a real job.

 

*starts running*

 

 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout