Australia’s biggest bike riding organisation is reviewing its pro-mandatory helmet policy, and the chief executive has conceded the debate “will get messy”.
The Bicycle Network, which has more than 50,000 members, has launched a national survey as part of a policy review, and has received more than 10,000 responses so far.
The result will either cement the organisation’s support for a rider’s legal obligation to wear a helmet, or will prompt lobbying to change the laws, which chief executive Craig Richards said may be behind dwindling numbers of Australian cyclists.
“We have seen in Australia bike riding numbers stagnate or even decline in some areas, so it’s time to have a careful look at everything,” Richards told Guardian Australia.
“Mandatory helmets is something that’s often discussed.”
Richards said overseas experts were often puzzled by Australia’s strict laws, which were also divisive among the cycling population.
In an open letter Richards said he had been told by cyclists the current policy was ruining their lives while also being warned by others that any change would destroy the Bicycle Network’s credibility.
“The sad reality is that when people can’t accept that reasonable minds differ, important issues are avoided. The result is that we don’t question, investigate and analyse,” he wrote.
He pleaded for patience and said the organisation had no foregone conclusions about the outcome.
The review will examine what effect mandatory helmets have on the “essence” of bike riding – convenience and freedom – as well as on the likelihood of a crash and on the severity of injury during a crash.
“If you do have a crash the evidence we’ve reviewed in the past is pretty clear that you’re better off in terms of head injury if you have a helmet on,” said Richards, but he added that in serious and fatal accidents helmets often made no difference.
Also under consideration was the impact of fewer people riding bikes and suffering lifestyle illnesses from a lack of physical activity as a result, he said.
“There’s a very pragmatic view to weigh it up and if it there weren’t mandatory helmets and more people rode bikes does that outweigh the number of people injured.”
The organisation said it wants to hear from its members and other bike riders, as well as roads authorities, town planners and medical professionals.
“It pisses me off that the law puts the onus on the cyclist when they are the victims, not the aggressor,” wrote Hans Sipsma on the Bicycle Network’s Facebook page.
“I do think that helmets should be carried with you, so that you can make the decision to wear it if you feel insecure in some way.”
Chris Pana said a helmet saved his life. “When you’ve been in a situation where the helmet came out a winner and in turn protected you from severe head trauma, you should just wear your helmet, no need for a survey.”
Richards said the survey was not black and white and the results could throw up middle-ground alternatives, such as current Northern Territory laws which require a helmet for riding on the road but not for riding on bike paths.
Should the survey return support for the Bicycle Network changing its policy, the organisation will discuss the issue with politicians, Richards said.
The survey follows the release of a study by Monash University which found cyclists are being seriously injured in road crashes more than ever.
The study, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, found the rate of serious injury to cyclists in Victoria had gone up 8% a year between 2007 and 2015, more than doubling in number over the time period.
The study raised questions about why the rates were increasing, noting 22% of people interviewed in hospital as part of a previous study had been riding in a bike lane when they were injured.
“The health and economic benefits of cycling are well established,” wrote study author Ben Beck, in the Conversation.
“A recent UK study demonstrated that cycling to work was associated with a 41% lower risk of early death compared to commuting by car or public transport. And while cycling-related injury rates are on the rise, they made up only 11% of serious road traffic injuries. It is clear we need greater investment in cyclist safety. We know being concerned about safety is one of the biggest barriers to people cycling.”
The Bicycle Network survey is open until 22 September and the organisation aims to have the review completed by April 2018.
