Manitoba considers mandatory cycle helmets

Seems like our Canadian friends have a more sensible attitude towards safety
for cyclists.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...et-law-120318/

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government may soon make it illegal for cyclists to
ride without a helmet.

"We're looking forward and seriously considering the legislation shortly,"
Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said in an interview.

"We're seriously discussing it and we're looking at options at how to get
more (helmet) usage. We know that jurisdictions that have bike helmet laws
have increased usage and so it is yet another tool."

Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for people
under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require both
children and adults to don helmets.

Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.

Rondeau knows that first-hand. He was involved in a collision with a vehicle
last year while out riding his bike.

"I went sideways and hit my head and cracked my helmet. I know that if I was
not wearing a helmet, I would have had a serious brain injury," he said.

The NDP government has been under pressure to adopt a helmet law for years
from opposition critics and health groups.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and the University of Ottawa
released a study in 2010 that said cyclists were much more likely to wear
helmets in provinces where the head gear is mandatory.

Rondeau would not reveal details of his plan -- whether the law would cover
in-line skating and other activities, and what kind of fine or penalty might
be levelled at offenders. He said the aim of the law would not be punitive.

"We don't want to have police chasing kids to give them a ticket. What we're
trying to do is look at innovative approaches."

Rondeau pointed to the introduction of car-seat legislation for kids years
ago. People who were found without a proper car seat for their kids were
given a chance to avoid a fine. They were given a few days to buy a car seat
and show police the receipt.

While the province has not passed a helmet law so far, it has focused on
encouraging people to buy helmets through subsidized helmet sales and public
awareness campaigns. Rondeau says using a proverbial carrot instead of a
stick can get many people to change their ways.

"We wanted to use positive reinforcement, positive change, and we've done
that ... and we are seriously considering the legislation."

The bill may come as early as the spring legislature session, which starts
April 17.

Read mo
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...#ixzz1q3ABrV3M

On 24/03/2012 15:52, Mr. Benn wrote:
Seems like our Canadian friends have a more sensible attitude towards
safety for cyclists.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...et-law-120318/


WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government may soon make it illegal for cyclists
to ride without a helmet.

"We're looking forward and seriously considering the legislation
shortly," Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said in an interview.

"We're seriously discussing it and we're looking at options at how to
get more (helmet) usage. We know that jurisdictions that have bike
helmet laws have increased usage and so it is yet another tool."

Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require
both children and adults to don helmets.

Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.

Rondeau knows that first-hand. He was involved in a collision with a
vehicle last year while out riding his bike.

"I went sideways and hit my head and cracked my helmet. I know that if I
was not wearing a helmet, I would have had a serious brain injury," he
said.

The NDP government has been under pressure to adopt a helmet law for
years from opposition critics and health groups.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and the University of Ottawa
released a study in 2010 that said cyclists were much more likely to
wear helmets in provinces where the head gear is mandatory.

Rondeau would not reveal details of his plan -- whether the law would
cover in-line skating and other activities, and what kind of fine or
penalty might be levelled at offenders. He said the aim of the law would
not be punitive.

"We don't want to have police chasing kids to give them a ticket. What
we're trying to do is look at innovative approaches."

Rondeau pointed to the introduction of car-seat legislation for kids
years ago. People who were found without a proper car seat for their
kids were given a chance to avoid a fine. They were given a few days to
buy a car seat and show police the receipt.

While the province has not passed a helmet law so far, it has focused on
encouraging people to buy helmets through subsidized helmet sales and
public awareness campaigns. Rondeau says using a proverbial carrot
instead of a stick can get many people to change their ways.

"We wanted to use positive reinforcement, positive change, and we've
done that ... and we are seriously considering the legislation."

The bill may come as early as the spring legislature session, which
starts April 17.

Read mo
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...#ixzz1q3ABrV3M

Excellent idea. Can't wait for it to become law in the UK.

--
Dave - Cyclists VOR. "Many people barely recognise the bicycle as a
legitimate mode of transport; it is either a toy for children or a
vehicle fit only for the poor and/or strange," Dave Horton - Lancaster
University

On Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:52:50 -0000, "Mr. Benn" wrote:


Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.



That cannot be correct.

Have they never read what is clearly stated here by the real experts on cycle
helmets : Porky, Anchor, Simple etc etc.

On Mar 24, 5:16*pm, Dave - Cyclists VOR
wrote:
On 24/03/2012 15:52, Mr. Benn wrote:







Seems like our Canadian friends have a more sensible attitude towards
safety for cyclists.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...ider-bike-helm...

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government may soon make it illegal for cyclists
to ride without a helmet.

"We're looking forward and seriously considering the legislation
shortly," Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said in an interview.

"We're seriously discussing it and we're looking at options at how to
get more (helmet) usage. We know that jurisdictions that have bike
helmet laws have increased usage and so it is yet another tool."

Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require
both children and adults to don helmets.

Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.

Rondeau knows that first-hand. He was involved in a collision with a
vehicle last year while out riding his bike.

"I went sideways and hit my head and cracked my helmet. I know that if I
was not wearing a helmet, I would have had a serious brain injury," he
said.

The NDP government has been under pressure to adopt a helmet law for
years from opposition critics and health groups.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and the University of Ottawa
released a study in 2010 that said cyclists were much more likely to
wear helmets in provinces where the head gear is mandatory.

Rondeau would not reveal details of his plan -- whether the law would
cover in-line skating and other activities, and what kind of fine or
penalty might be levelled at offenders. He said the aim of the law would
not be punitive.

"We don't want to have police chasing kids to give them a ticket. What
we're trying to do is look at innovative approaches."

Rondeau pointed to the introduction of car-seat legislation for kids
years ago. People who were found without a proper car seat for their
kids were given a chance to avoid a fine. They were given a few days to
buy a car seat and show police the receipt.

While the province has not passed a helmet law so far, it has focused on
encouraging people to buy helmets through subsidized helmet sales and
public awareness campaigns. Rondeau says using a proverbial carrot
instead of a stick can get many people to change their ways.

"We wanted to use positive reinforcement, positive change, and we've
done that ... and we are seriously considering the legislation."

The bill may come as early as the spring legislature session, which
starts April 17.

Read mo
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...ider-bike-helm...

Excellent idea. *Can't wait for it to become law in the UK.


Any reason?

"Dave - Cyclists VOR" wrote in message
...

On 24/03/2012 15:52, Mr. Benn wrote:
Seems like our Canadian friends have a more sensible attitude towards
safety for cyclists.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...et-law-120318/


WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government may soon make it illegal for cyclists
to ride without a helmet.

"We're looking forward and seriously considering the legislation
shortly," Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said in an interview.

"We're seriously discussing it and we're looking at options at how to
get more (helmet) usage. We know that jurisdictions that have bike
helmet laws have increased usage and so it is yet another tool."

Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require
both children and adults to don helmets.

Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.

Rondeau knows that first-hand. He was involved in a collision with a
vehicle last year while out riding his bike.

"I went sideways and hit my head and cracked my helmet. I know that if I
was not wearing a helmet, I would have had a serious brain injury," he
said.

The NDP government has been under pressure to adopt a helmet law for
years from opposition critics and health groups.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and the University of Ottawa
released a study in 2010 that said cyclists were much more likely to
wear helmets in provinces where the head gear is mandatory.

Rondeau would not reveal details of his plan -- whether the law would
cover in-line skating and other activities, and what kind of fine or
penalty might be levelled at offenders. He said the aim of the law would
not be punitive.

"We don't want to have police chasing kids to give them a ticket. What
we're trying to do is look at innovative approaches."

Rondeau pointed to the introduction of car-seat legislation for kids
years ago. People who were found without a proper car seat for their
kids were given a chance to avoid a fine. They were given a few days to
buy a car seat and show police the receipt.

While the province has not passed a helmet law so far, it has focused on
encouraging people to buy helmets through subsidized helmet sales and
public awareness campaigns. Rondeau says using a proverbial carrot
instead of a stick can get many people to change their ways.

"We wanted to use positive reinforcement, positive change, and we've
done that ... and we are seriously considering the legislation."

The bill may come as early as the spring legislature session, which
starts April 17.

Read mo
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...#ixzz1q3ABrV3M

Excellent idea. Can't wait for it to become law in the UK.
===========================================

Me too. It's only a matter of time before the Government looks across the
pond and realises what a sensible idea it is.

When mandatory seatbelt wearing was first introduced for drivers, there was
a lot of opposition with some people making spurious claims about how seat
belts were dangerous. We now look back and laugh at how foolish those
people were. It'll be the same with cycle helmets.

"Judith" wrote in message
...

On Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:52:50 -0000, "Mr. Benn" wrote:


Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.

That cannot be correct.

Have they never read what is clearly stated here by the real experts on
cycle
helmets : Porky, Anchor, Simple etc etc.
================================================== ==

Well Judith, I wouldn't consider those people you have mentioned to be
experts in any way or form. In any case, I think they may all be brain
damaged from coming off their bicycles and banging their heads. As I have
said in the past, brain damage can be very serious and is often permanent
unlike broken bones.

QUOTE:
The commuter specialists Milk Bikes unveiled a show special last night at
Bespoked Bristol running a transmission based on a drive belt and sprockets
made by the German company Continental, otherwise famous for their tyres.

Named 'ArtDA' because of its mural paintjob by the Bristol artist Will
Barras on Milk Bikes' standard 'RDA' frameset the show special was also
fitted with the new Continental Syncrochain drive belt featuring a deeper
tooth profile than the Gates CenterTrack belts fitted to the base model.

According to Milk Bikes' Mark Meadows, the new design launched at Bespoked
for the first time anywhere in the world, "may mean we can run the belt at a
lower tension but we have a lot of testing to do." The implication being
that the belt will be easier for users to deal with at the roadside in the
event of a flat tyre repair.

The machined aluminium chainring with the matching tooth profile has a 130mm
Bolt Circle Diametre (BCD) as fitted to the Milk Bike but Meadows confirmed
that there will also be a 104mm version for mountain bike cranks.

According to Milk Bikes' Mark Meadows, "Continental is one of the leading
suppliers of drive and timing belts belts for the engineering and automotive
industries so we're not anticipating too many problems with durability if
the Gates belts we've been using for our first two years are anything to go
by."

Bespoked Bristol continues today Saturday opening at 9.30am and tomorrow
Sunday 25th March 2012.

http://road.cc/content/news/55585-co...ed-showstopper

--
Simon Mason

On Mar 24, 6:17*pm, "Mr. Benn" wrote:
"Dave - Cyclists VOR" *wrote in ...

On 24/03/2012 15:52, Mr. Benn wrote:







Seems like our Canadian friends have a more sensible attitude towards
safety for cyclists.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...ider-bike-helm...

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government may soon make it illegal for cyclists
to ride without a helmet.

"We're looking forward and seriously considering the legislation
shortly," Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said in an interview.

"We're seriously discussing it and we're looking at options at how to
get more (helmet) usage. We know that jurisdictions that have bike
helmet laws have increased usage and so it is yet another tool."

Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require
both children and adults to don helmets.

Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.

Rondeau knows that first-hand. He was involved in a collision with a
vehicle last year while out riding his bike.

"I went sideways and hit my head and cracked my helmet. I know that if I
was not wearing a helmet, I would have had a serious brain injury," he
said.

The NDP government has been under pressure to adopt a helmet law for
years from opposition critics and health groups.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and the University of Ottawa
released a study in 2010 that said cyclists were much more likely to
wear helmets in provinces where the head gear is mandatory.

Rondeau would not reveal details of his plan -- whether the law would
cover in-line skating and other activities, and what kind of fine or
penalty might be levelled at offenders. He said the aim of the law would
not be punitive.

"We don't want to have police chasing kids to give them a ticket. What
we're trying to do is look at innovative approaches."

Rondeau pointed to the introduction of car-seat legislation for kids
years ago. People who were found without a proper car seat for their
kids were given a chance to avoid a fine. They were given a few days to
buy a car seat and show police the receipt.

While the province has not passed a helmet law so far, it has focused on
encouraging people to buy helmets through subsidized helmet sales and
public awareness campaigns. Rondeau says using a proverbial carrot
instead of a stick can get many people to change their ways.

"We wanted to use positive reinforcement, positive change, and we've
done that ... and we are seriously considering the legislation."

The bill may come as early as the spring legislature session, which
starts April 17.

Read mo
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...ider-bike-helm...

Excellent idea. *Can't wait for it to become law in the UK.
===========================================

Me too. *It's only a matter of time before the Government looks across the
pond and realises what a sensible idea it is.


"Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to
ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people
under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require both
children and adults to don helmets."

So Britain has not bothered to get in line with the other provinces
already. Why would she change now particularly?

On Mar 24, 8:16*pm, Squashme wrote:
On Mar 24, 6:17*pm, "Mr. Benn" wrote:



"Dave - Cyclists VOR" *wrote in ...

On 24/03/2012 15:52, Mr. Benn wrote:

Seems like our Canadian friends have a more sensible attitude towards
safety for cyclists.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...ider-bike-helm....

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government may soon make it illegal for cyclists
to ride without a helmet.

"We're looking forward and seriously considering the legislation
shortly," Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said in an interview.

"We're seriously discussing it and we're looking at options at how to
get more (helmet) usage. We know that jurisdictions that have bike
helmet laws have increased usage and so it is yet another tool."

Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require
both children and adults to don helmets.

Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.

Rondeau knows that first-hand. He was involved in a collision with a
vehicle last year while out riding his bike.

"I went sideways and hit my head and cracked my helmet. I know that if I
was not wearing a helmet, I would have had a serious brain injury," he
said.

The NDP government has been under pressure to adopt a helmet law for
years from opposition critics and health groups.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and the University of Ottawa
released a study in 2010 that said cyclists were much more likely to
wear helmets in provinces where the head gear is mandatory.

Rondeau would not reveal details of his plan -- whether the law would
cover in-line skating and other activities, and what kind of fine or
penalty might be levelled at offenders. He said the aim of the law would
not be punitive.

"We don't want to have police chasing kids to give them a ticket. What
we're trying to do is look at innovative approaches."

Rondeau pointed to the introduction of car-seat legislation for kids
years ago. People who were found without a proper car seat for their
kids were given a chance to avoid a fine. They were given a few days to
buy a car seat and show police the receipt.

While the province has not passed a helmet law so far, it has focused on
encouraging people to buy helmets through subsidized helmet sales and
public awareness campaigns. Rondeau says using a proverbial carrot
instead of a stick can get many people to change their ways.

"We wanted to use positive reinforcement, positive change, and we've
done that ... and we are seriously considering the legislation."

The bill may come as early as the spring legislature session, which
starts April 17.

Read mo
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...ider-bike-helm....

Excellent idea. *Can't wait for it to become law in the UK.
===========================================

Me too. *It's only a matter of time before the Government looks across the
pond and realises what a sensible idea it is.

"Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to
ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people
under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require both
children and adults to don helmets."

So Britain has not bothered to get in line with the other provinces
already. Why would she change now particularly?

Safety of those too dumb to take steps for themselves perhaps?

On Mar 24, 8:23*pm, NM wrote:
On Mar 24, 8:16*pm, Squashme wrote:









On Mar 24, 6:17*pm, "Mr. Benn" wrote:

"Dave - Cyclists VOR" *wrote in ...

On 24/03/2012 15:52, Mr. Benn wrote:

Seems like our Canadian friends have a more sensible attitude towards
safety for cyclists.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...ider-bike-helm...

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government may soon make it illegal for cyclists
to ride without a helmet.

"We're looking forward and seriously considering the legislation
shortly," Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said in an interview.

"We're seriously discussing it and we're looking at options at how to
get more (helmet) usage. We know that jurisdictions that have bike
helmet laws have increased usage and so it is yet another tool."

Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require
both children and adults to don helmets.

Doctors Manitoba, the provincial medical association, has told the
government that bike helmet laws reduce the number of head injuries that
require hospitalization by as much as 45 per cent.

Rondeau knows that first-hand. He was involved in a collision with a
vehicle last year while out riding his bike.

"I went sideways and hit my head and cracked my helmet. I know that if I
was not wearing a helmet, I would have had a serious brain injury," he
said.

The NDP government has been under pressure to adopt a helmet law for
years from opposition critics and health groups.

Researchers at the University of Manitoba and the University of Ottawa
released a study in 2010 that said cyclists were much more likely to
wear helmets in provinces where the head gear is mandatory.

Rondeau would not reveal details of his plan -- whether the law would
cover in-line skating and other activities, and what kind of fine or
penalty might be levelled at offenders. He said the aim of the law would
not be punitive.

"We don't want to have police chasing kids to give them a ticket. What
we're trying to do is look at innovative approaches."

Rondeau pointed to the introduction of car-seat legislation for kids
years ago. People who were found without a proper car seat for their
kids were given a chance to avoid a fine. They were given a few days to
buy a car seat and show police the receipt.

While the province has not passed a helmet law so far, it has focused on
encouraging people to buy helmets through subsidized helmet sales and
public awareness campaigns. Rondeau says using a proverbial carrot
instead of a stick can get many people to change their ways.

"We wanted to use positive reinforcement, positive change, and we've
done that ... and we are seriously considering the legislation."

The bill may come as early as the spring legislature session, which
starts April 17.

Read mo
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/201...ider-bike-helm...

Excellent idea. *Can't wait for it to become law in the UK.
===========================================

Me too. *It's only a matter of time before the Government looks across the
pond and realises what a sensible idea it is.

"Manitoba is one of the few provinces that currently allow people to
ride
bikes without a helmet. Ontario and Alberta require protection for
people
under 18, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia and others require both
children and adults to don helmets."

So Britain has not bothered to get in line with the other provinces
already. Why would she change now particularly?

Safety of those too dumb to take steps for themselves perhaps?

Wouldn't it be fairer to remove seatbelts from all vehicles (or at
least from the driver's seats) in order to encourage the sources of
the danger to pedestrians and cyclists to behave more responsibly?
Motorists need to take responsibility. Many seem unaware of the
consequences of their decisions, because they are over-protected.