Evaluation of New Zealand’s bicycle helmet law

[Arrowfoot]

Distances are not conducive to cycling. We drove from Wellington to Napier and only passed through one major town. No way you could cycle that route. Get outside the towns and you are on major roads and the NZ drivers are mad! I cycled the Kapiti coast cycle path - 50 miles there and back - along quiet back roads and cycle paths. But that was it, no other cycle routes in that part of the country. No cycle lanes in major cities either. NZers seem to be more into off roading rather than road cycling and certainly not communting. I guess Christchurch may be a different, as it is flat, but I haven't been down there for a while. Wellington and Auckland would be too hilly to cycle.

All of NZ is like that including Christchurch. They however have a good following of cyclocross and off-road biking. There is also another danger for road bikes in that the hordes of tourists doing free and easy travel on hired vehicles are proving to be major concern.

I do recall there is a major program to build national cycleways but I suspect they are going to be off-road.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I wouldn't let my kids out on their bikes without a helmet.

On what basis?

 

[mickle]

Do they own bikes? Are you expecting them to buy their own helmets? Do you care if they wear helmets or not?

Some more information required.

All of my kids (8, 13, 17 & 21 yrs) are regular cyclists. None of them owns a helmet.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Are you sure? How come they don't fall off then?

Tsk. Because NZ being on the others side of the world is clearly upside down and so gravity is less as any fule kno.

 

[ianrauk]

I find it so sad that some people would rather their children not enjoy the simple pleasures of riding a bicycle because of not wearing a plastic hat. So very sad.

 

[ianrauk]

Oh go on then.
Plastic Hat enforcer's look away now. I don't want the blame for your heart palpitations.

Video of my little boy having so much fun

 

[green1]

Oh go on then.
Plastic Hat enforcer's look away now. I don't want the blame for your heart palpitations.

Video of my little boy having so much fun

Come on then, where's the video of you showing him how to ride a skate park properly?

 

[ianrauk]

Come on then, where's the video of you showing him how to ride a skate park properly?

Ha... in the 70's maybe.. far too old for that nonsense now.

 

[ianrauk]

Get @GrumpyGregry to do it for you.

[

Come on then, where's the video of you showing him how to ride a skate park properly?

It was his first go..

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Get @GrumpyGregry to do it for you.

TLH is insisting I hang up my boards after an reoccurence of the 'black bottom'.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

The little lad is ace and already better at skate boarding than I am!

 

[Onyer]

Saw these whilst riding the Kapati Coast cycling route in New Zealand in 2006

 

[Onyer]

I must have imagined all the commuting cyclists in places like Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch, etc...

And the long distance cyclists on the long distance cycle routes (the Great Rides and the Nga Haerenga – The New Zealand Cycle Trail) must have been imaginary as well...

"They are predominantly off-road trails that showcase the very best of New Zealand's landscape, environment, culture and heritage."

 

[Shut Up Legs]

That doesn't square with the increase we have here.

Exactly. Despite your weather and (as far as I can tell from this forum) similar motorist attitudes towards cyclists, cycling in the UK is far more prevalent than in Australia. I can think of one major reason why.

 

[classic33]

Exactly. Despite your weather and (as far as I can tell from this forum) similar motorist attitudes towards cyclists, cycling in the UK is far more prevalent than in Australia. I can think of one major reason why.

Please tell!!!