A survey of almost 20,000 people has found nearly two-thirds don’t believe they should have to wear a helmet every time they ride a bike.
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It also found more than 30 per cent would ride a bike more often if mandatory helmet laws were changed.
The survey by Bicycle Network came as the national cycling organisation considered changing its stance against voluntary helmet laws.
In September, La Trobe University city planning expert Julie Rudner said she would like to see optional helmet laws trialed.
The Bendigo-based academic argued the population’s activity levels were declining and obesity was on the rise.
“If taking away the helmets means that people are less sedentary and live a bit too far away from work to walk, well, by riding instead of driving they are dealing with longer term chronic risk factors,” Dr Rudner said.
She cited research suggesting the introduction of helmet laws in the early 1990s reduced cycling by 36 per cent in Melbourne, 36 per cent in New South Wales, and 20 per cent in Perth.
Dr Rudner has since lent her perspective to a list of 27 expert views published online by Bicycle Network.
Not everyone on the list supported voluntary helmets, including VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter. Ms Rechter said there were inherent risks when riding in traffic.
Two years after mandatory bike helmet laws were introduced there was a 23 per cent reduction in Victorian head injuries, she said.
And while there was an increased focus on minimising the risks to cyclists from high traffic volumes and speed, Ms Rechter said it could take years for the right infrastructure to be put in place.
Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards said if laws were to change it may not be as simple as saying people would never have to wear helmets again.
“Just over 40 per cent (of survey respondents) thought helmets should still be mandatory in some circumstances, such as riding in ‘high risk’ situations, like racing, riding on roads or under 18 years of age,” he said.
“Understandably, there are people that feel safer wearing a helmet. But there are situations where some people have told us they would feel safe without a helmet, like riding on a trail next to the beach.”
Bicycle Network’s policy review is expected to be completed by April 2018.
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
