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A Blackheath cyclist has been hit with a $750 fine for “reckless” riding and not wearing a helmet in the annual Blackheath rhododendron street parade. Robin Martin has participated in the past six festivals and usually joins in at the last minute “as the festival goes right past my house”. But this year police introduced stricter measures around the parade, including pre-registering, something which has left some Blackheathens concerned over “heavy handedness”. Dr Katriona Herborn said the police were being “killjoys” by fining Mr Martin on the morning of November 5 and she thought there could be a better use of police resources in the Mountains. “I was really shocked [by the fine] and shocked by the intense police presence,” Dr Herborn said. “They have had all this stuff about water barriers [to fight terrorism] at the parade which I regard as silly stuff ... and now fining Robin who was riding his bicycle around the crowd at walking pace. “As a doctor I know the importance of having fun and the community having fun … to have a cohesive community. I think it’s being overprotective, it’s inappropriate and it’s really wrong.” Dr Herborn wants the fine withdrawn, and if it isn’t, will contribute to its payment. Police say the charges were laid because “any person riding a motor cycle or a bicycle without wearing an approved helmet sets a poor example to other road users including children and are committing an offence”. And Blackheath Rhododendron Festival Committee president Elizabeth Giddey, who took the reins of the committee this year, said she could understand the police concerns. “Our aim was to have a safe and happy day and parade … we could be sitting ducks [for terrorist attacks].” Ms Giddey, who has worked in aged care for 40 years and “is very conscious of occupational health and safety issues” said they had managed some 200 participants in the parade and Mr Martin had not registered as per police and council requests. She said police were concerned Mr Martin was “riding up the side of people … where the vintage cars were ... without a helmet and with his hands off the handlebar”. Ms Giddey said the committee was yet to come to an official position over the fine, but if people had a problem with the new protective measures they “should take it up with the police … or write to the people in ISIS.” Mr Martin, 65, has started a petition protesting the incident, which is at the Blackheath Mitre 10 hardware store. “I decided on the spur of the moment to put on a silly wig and overalls and join in. My fingers never left the [brake] levers. People lining the street seemed to enjoy my contribution, many holding out their hands to slap as I passed. It honestly didn’t occur to me that a helmet was necessary because the normal road rules were suspended.” But police said “at the relevant time, all road users were subject to the road rules as they were driving/riding on a public road”.

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