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Wagga cyclists have welcomed a world-first study about mandatory helmet laws’ contributions to reducing cycling fatalities. A University of NSW study published last week found that there was a 46 per cent reduction in the rate of cycling fatalities per 100,000 population following the introduction of bicycle helmet legislation in Australia in 1990. The study found that there has been 1332 fewer cycling fatalities associated with mandatory helmet laws to date. “There were 1144 cycling fatalities in the period 1990–2016 and, using the pre-legislation trajectory as a guide, our model estimates 2476 cycling fatalities from 1990–2016 if bicycle helmet legislation had not been introduced,” the report states. Paul Johanson, a member of the Wagga Cycling and Mountain Bike Wagga clubs, said the news was positive. “I’m all for it – based on my personal experiences and seeing the results of people falling,” Mr Johanson said. “Recently I had two friends in accidents and their helmets were badly damaged, but they came out mostly unscathed. “It could’ve been severe head injuries – when they’re helmets are badly damaged and their heads aren’t, you can tell that they survived because of helmets.” Mr Johanson, who has been commuting mostly via two wheels for the past 30 years, said the cycling culture in Wagga has been mostly accepting of helmet laws. “From my experience, most cyclists in Wagga knows the benefits of wearing helmets,” he said. “It’s just the odd person not wearing one because there’s always the element of ‘it’s not going to happen to me’,” he said. “It’s similar to drivers thinking they’ll get away with speeding or having no seat belt.” In October of 2018, Melbourne-based cycling charity Bicycle Network called for legislation changes to helmets. People older than 17 years should be able to choose whether to wear a helmet when riding on cycling paths or trails, the organisation said in a report. The organisation’s chief executive Craig Richards said the aim was to “give people the freedom to choose if they wear a helmet in low-risk circumstances”. At the time, Bicycle Wagga club member Craig Alexander said that while he supported the safety measures of a helmet, it should not be compulsory to wear it off-road. “It puts people off riding a bike...we’re trying to encourage more people to get out and cycle,” Mr Alexander said. “Adults should be able to make a decision off their own bat.” The authors of the UNSW study also addressed advocates who believe that mandatory helmet laws have deterred people from cycling, which reduces the participation rates and, therefore, reduces fatalities. Wagga cyclist Ray Loiterton, who used to compete and now rides socially, dismissed the argument that helmets deter people from riding. “I fully understand why some people don’t like to wear helmets – it feels foreign the first time, it feels restrictive, but people are less likely to get on bikes because of traffic and unsuitable cycle paths rather than because of helmets,” Mr Loiterton said. However, he praised Wagga City Council in working on new cycle trails as part of its Active Travel Project to improve cycling safety. The UNSW study is the first in the world to examine the effects of mandatory helmet laws applied on a national scale where those laws apply to all ages and are dutifully enforced. While you’re with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to you inbox each day at 6am from the Daily Advertiser? To make sure you’re up to date with all the Wagga news sign up here.

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