{"id":163974,"date":"2018-03-21T13:22:06","date_gmt":"2018-03-21T13:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=163974"},"modified":"2018-03-21T13:22:06","modified_gmt":"2018-03-21T13:22:06","slug":"cyclists-protest-mandatory-helmet-laws-australia-helmet-optional-rides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2018\/03\/21\/cyclists-protest-mandatory-helmet-laws-australia-helmet-optional-rides\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyclists Protest Mandatory Helmet Laws in Australia with Helmet-Optional Rides"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia became the first country to require cyclists to wear helmets in 1991. After a campaign from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, there was little doubt in general public about the risks of riding without one. Only three years later, however, adults in the Northern Territory were granted an exception. And there\u2019s a lot of people who believe the exception should be changed into law in the whole country.<\/strong>
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Freestyle Cyclists is the organisation that leads this movement. This time they organised \u201chelmet optional\u201d group rides, despite the fact that they expected to be met by the police. And that indeed happened in Sydney where the officers shut down the ride and fined the participants including the long-term campaigner Sue Abbott.<\/p>\n

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@jquilter3<\/a> FYI. Peaceful Sydney protest against bicycle helmet laws stopped by Police, 2 participants fined $330. Heroic leadership by @FreedomCycliste Successful and uneventful rides took place in other States and in Wellington, NZ without heavy handed Police presence. https:\/\/t.co\/3co7uPgA7z<\/a><\/p>\n

— kathy francis (@kathyfrancis56) March 17, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n