Cycling without a helmet the 'quickest route to police search'

Most common fine issued to cyclists by police in NSW is for not wearing a helmetThe fine for driving a car in a dedicated bike lane in NSW is $191NSW Police have been accused of using bike fines as a "hidden justice system" to enable searches of poor and vulnerable people, with new data obtained under freedom of information laws showing penalties are soaring in some suburbs while others have none., and now account for 70 per cent of all bike fines issued since 2014.

Often for a young person, a bike is their only mode of transport, and if they get stopped for riding on the footpath, asked why they haven't got a helmet, that escalates into a search and they may get annoyed and swear. Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said it’s wrong that such a victimless crime like not wearing a bicycle helmet can lead to problems for vulnerable people."Rather than spending time trying to enforce compulsory helmet laws which do nothing to minimise bike crashes, the time, effort and money should be spent on building better places to ride," Mr Richards said.

"A fine is an easy way to show somebody they're doing the wrong thing but if people can't afford to pay, it doesn't make sense anymore," Ms Meyns said. To be eligible people must have a mental illness, intellectual disability or cognitive impairment, be homeless, experiencing acute economic hardship, or have a serious addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Nigelgladstone The application of these laws is the end result of a process that starts with bias and discrimination against the poor. Medical doctors generate spectacular claims of helmet benefit using methods that are inherently biased and not scientifically valid in my view.

Nigelgladstone Remove draconian sidewalk and helmet laws so Aussies can cycle like the rest of the world. Lycra clad helmeted speedsters stay on the road!

Nigelgladstone What would one expect with the weaponisation of the Justice System Corporation, these tyrants need to be accountable.

Nigelgladstone Gee, imagine its everyone just wore a $40 bike helmet. Problem solved!

Nigelgladstone No don't wear a helmet. It's just another way of getting revenue and intimidating poor people. In France only children younger than 12 have to wear helmets. Not a good French look. More people would get on their bike if there wasn't this ridiculous law. We can take our own risks

Nigelgladstone Just wear the helmet

Nigelgladstone Meanwhile here in Brisbane CBD, Lycra brigade continue to fly along pedestrian pavements & narrow riverside walkways with no concern for possible accidents Never spotted one cop yet policing this or issuing slow down reminders. Traffic policing is all about $$ not lives

Nigelgladstone the cops r hopeless chasing crooks but they r targeting us with distancing b bike fines even scooter Outrageous n lazy

Nigelgladstone Poor and vulnerable? 99.9% of cyclists are upper income tossers on carbon fibre bikes and Lycra undies.

Nigelgladstone Wear a helmet.... it really is that simple.

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