Are your submissions ready?

[RonK]

The rationale behind bicycle helmets, marijuana laws, film classifications and possibly even pool fences will be examined by the Senate starting today, as part of an inquiry into the Australian "nanny state".

Drugs, p0rnography and bicycle helmets under Senate microscope as David Leyonhjelm's "nanny state" inquiry begins

[AUbicycles]

There are a lot of vested interests in this debate, especially tackling so many different topics at once. I feel that the bicycle helmets topic won't get as much attention with the other topics on the agenda. I would also like many other topics includes in the mix - even bicycle and alternative transport infrastructure is far more significant at this stage of Australian cycling evolution (and in NSW, devolution) because of the implications on safety and health along with all of the resulting benefits (congestion and socio-economic benefits).

[gorilla monsoon]

So I can smoke a spliff while riding helmetless to film some porn? Bewdy!

[RonK]

So I can smoke a spliff while riding helmetless to film some porn? Bewdy!

Yep! And you'll be able to drink unpasteurised milk, pull down your pool fence, leave your kids unvaccinated, buy guns on the internet, and stop wearing your seatbelt.

[Dreams V Reallity]

I could handle most of that RonK, until the Septics started moving here in droves.

[il padrone]

The bike helmet topic is drawing just as much attention (much of it incredulous) as the other issues. However I find it a bit sad to ally the cycle helmet issue with a pro-gun lobby - not a good look, and not my preference.

Judging by the responses from the public health spokesman, Michael Moore (no not that Michael Moore) on Lateline last night (at 11:30), the health lobby's understanding of the issues around cycling useage are woefully lacking.

[tubby74]

Michael Moore came across as incredibly rude, arrogant and ignorant last night, but the presenter had clearly taken a side well before the piece started.

[il padrone]

Yep.

[myforwik]

The general point is that most people don't seem to realise that we have the harshes laws in the world over many things, including helmets and pool fencing, but also hundreds and thousands of other things.

Worse is that the people who have vested interests in these things bend statistics to show how they are working, as if the entire rest of the planet is stupid for not adopting them.

Whats more laughable is you often see it intra state. For example QLD will claim their 'toughest in the world' pool fencing laws are preventing deaths. But a look at the stats shows nothing of the sort. All it shows is that people now to pay money for a pointless piece of paper.

[AlexHuggs]

Best case scenario and the Senate says MHL are stupid... what happens? Helmet laws are a state issue aren't they?

[Thoglette]

Helmet laws are a state issue aren't they?

Except that they only came in because Johnny-flack-jacket tied them to road funding. They would disappear just as quickly if the states were grabbed by the wallet again.

[Xplora]

Best case scenario and the Senate says MHL are stupid... what happens? Helmet laws are a state issue aren't they?

Helmets would very rapidly disappear from the road rules because they are a pain to enforce for very very little reward.

[hunch]

Helmet laws are a state issue aren't they?

Except that they only came in because Johnny-flack-jacket tied them to road funding. They would disappear just as quickly if the states were grabbed by the wallet again.

Would have been Hawkie in charge surely when the senate committee did it's bastardry and the subsequent introduction. There was an odious self-promoter in charge of Staysafe in NSW too, who would have lapped that authoritarian stuff up1

[Thoglette]

Would have been Hawkie in charge surely when the senate committee did it's bastardry and the subsequent introduction.

Right you are. My memory playing tricks again. Old age sucks. But not as much as the alternative

[hunch]

Certainly does suck, a recent disease diagnosis confirms I'm well and truly in that cohort now, no matter how much I pretend otherwise.

This morning's take - http://www.smh.com.au/comment/nanny-sta ... l2mst.html - the "full of angry cyclists" comment is pretty condescending and diminishing though.

[richbee]

Interesting that one of the comments below the article states that the individual concerned seems to fall on their head every time they fall off their bicycle and should perhaps teach himself to fall in a different way. There is of course a technique to do so , it's called "Tuck & Roll", but I think this contributor would do better to teach himself to remain upright on his bicycle, or perhaps change the way he rides because it appears to me he seems unable to ride without falling off.

[human909]

Interesting that one of the comments below the article states that the individual concerned seems to fall on their head every time they fall off their bicycle and should perhaps teach himself to fall in a different way. There is of course a technique to do so , it's called "Tuck & Roll", but I think this contributor would do better to teach himself to remain upright on his bicycle, or perhaps change the way he rides because it appears to me he seems unable to ride without falling off.

Both staying upright and knowing how to fall is important really. The video of dozens of Dutch cyclists slipping on ice shows that even sedate riders can occasionally fall. And it also shows none of them hitting their head! My mother (late 60s) had to "bail" as her bike accelerated out of control due to poorly maintained brakes and a very steep hill.

I've had countless falls in many circumstances, be it skiing, climbing, hiking, cycling, team sports... My shins, my knees, my hands, my elbows and shoulders all have copped impacts. I can't ever remember having head impacts. I broke a couple of ribs in a ~7m climbing fall a few months ago. In the last fractions of seconds before impact I flipped upside down. Instinct took over and I tucked my head and stiffened my neck. If I didn't then no doubt I'd have had some sort of head injury despite a helmet.

Sure maybe everbody hasn't learnt those instincts in their life. But there is no need for those people to tell OTHERS how to cycle.