Great post and a great blog I’m glad I stumbled across it!
I found it amusing how you defined two cycling cultures in Darwin. It’s kind of amusing because the it reminded me of what is so special about living here in Darwin… Despite the various migrations of military staff, government workers and now, mining and construction personnel Darwin is still such an open minded free spirited place that we generally tend not to need to categorize ourselves into such rigid stereotypical roles.

Despite it’s rapidly changing demographic, Darwin hasn’t yet lost it’s free spirited nature. Many of us who live here value dearly the fact that we live in a less regulated part of Australia than our countrymen (and Women) in other states are now used to.

In some ways we are a little like cyclists in Copenhagen and Amsterdam who don’t tend to consider which category of cyclist they are… They just ride their bike because that’s how they get around. Of course there are always the exception to this but generally I’d say there are many cyclists here in Darwin who have never bothered to think at all about bicycle culture… It’s just a part of the culture.

Regarding helmets I have to say that I am very glad that mandatory use of helmets is not law here. I love riding without a helmet and it definitely makes cycling generally more accessible. I truly appreciate the fact that I can choose whether or not I will wear a helmet. My choice is based on assessment of risk rather than fear of the law.

I have several bicycles and ride for various reasons at different times, my reasons include.

Commuting to and from work 15km trip each way per day
– Touring – Very occasionally I go for a long ride approximate 150 km of road riding in a day.
– Taking kids to school
– Shopping
– Leisure with the family

Road riding – I always wear a helmet if I’m planning to ride on any major roadways. Commuting to work or touring. It makes sense to me that being in close proximity to speeding unaware drivers is potentially dangerous and I should take precautions to protect myself against driver error!

Shopping – My local shops are close enough that I can avoid riding on major roads and so I don’t bother to wear a helmet to go shopping… It would be overkill and just add to the load

School – My children must always wear a helmet and they never complain about this. It is actually law for children to wear helmets here… I don’t know what the age limits are. Even if it wasn’t I’d have them wear a helmet anyway because they do not have enough experience riding to be completely safe. So once again this decision is made according to risk… A more experienced rider is at far less risk of simply falling off under normal circumstances than someone who’s been riding for years… I may or may not wear a helmet myself when I ride the kids to school depending on what I am doing after.

Leisure riding – Depends entirely on where we are going. If it’s just to the local playground I don’t bother to wear a helmet. If we’re planning a cycling adventure then I may wear one but generally not. When we take the kids we tend to avoid roads and ride quite slowly. No need for a helmet most of the time!

Oh! it seems I’ve ranted on a bit so I’d better finish up!

Basically riding is great in Darwin. However the biggest hazard is driver attitudes and there are some pretty bad ones up here. It can be quite dangerous on our roads and there is a general disregard for the safety of other human beings on our roads. Many pedestrians are hit.

Another problem we face is lack of roadmanship from drivers and cyclists alike. I’ve seen so many young riders riding the wrong way which I am sure is due to lack of a simple understanding of safety. (they must think they are safer if they can look oncoming drivers in the eye!)

I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Sorry to hear about the experience in Christchurch. Here’s a place to avoid. You’d think the police have got better things to do, that find better way to help, after an earthquake.

My advise is vote for the LDP. Libertarian policy is that victim-less crimes should not be punished and the LDP website specifically lists removing bicycle helmet laws on their website at ldp.org.au. check the Policy section under Victimless Crimes.

I have met with them at their open monthly meeting here in SA, they are interested to help, and they need more members so if anyone is interested in the libertarian ideals it’s free and is online at ldp.org.au
I don’t agree with every policy they have but this is an opportunity to get some political representation which no other party seems prepared to offer us.

If Cyclists vote for and Support the LDP even if just for this one reason eventually the majors will take notice and we will see a change to the helmet laws sooner rather then later.

Regards Steve.

It is sad and disappointing that the police deem that to be an important part of their job in such times.

I really do believe that some of them think, “First it is no helmet, next it is complete anarchy…”.

This is yet another example of why these laws need to go.

I hope you all get back to some semblance of normal soon and keep up the good work. A bicycle is by far the best way to get around!

Now, the next thing to be done in my book is, for there to be available for you to rent up there, a comfy sit-up bike so you can sail along, looking around and ahead and not at the road in front of you.

Your handle bars will then sweep back, not pulling you forward into the semi lean so typical of Aussie bikes. I was reminded how important this was when in Darwin since the bike I was lent was a flat bar. To see Darwin, I had to ride, my head held painfully up all the time. I ended up having those vertical grips added to the handlebars, which helped a bit.

I just cant understand why bike makers condemn riders to this unnecessary discomfort . Would anyone drive a car with their nose on the wheel?

Just the other week I was sitting waiting at a set of lights and some bloke walking down the footpath, right across the other side of a 4 lane major road, stopped and cursed me out, at length and using the strongest of language, for having no front light.

In fact I do have a front light – an old-fashioned dynamo job, which throws out excellent beams when I am actually moving.

As I say, this bloke was way the hell across the other side of a major road, on the footpath, going the other way, so my effect on his business was zero, and yet he felt perfectly entitled to give me a vituperative mouthful.

I was also recently told off by some busybody female passerby for having my helmet strap too loose.

I certainly get many dirty looks when out riding from everyone: car drivers, other cyclists and pedestrians. I’ve had cyclists (usually racer types) yell at me and a handful of pedestrians yell at me too (mostly the obese).

It is strange that people feel the need to ‘remind’ me of the law – very peculiar.

This reminded me of my trip to Washington DC last year. They allow cyclists to use the footpaths everywhere except the busy downtown streets. Some of their footpaths were even marked as bike routes.

However, despite the plethora of recreational trails and footpaths, I still received dirty looks for not wearing a helmet (and there is no helmet law there). Even on the recreational trail along the Potomac river people gave me dirty looks! It seemed that I was one of the very few people who wasn’t wearing a helmet!

This just goes to show that the disdain for non-helmeted riders is drastically different in different areas with different cultures. I was completely shocked to see people visibly angry about someone else not wearing a helmet on a paved, off-road trail – even when there is no helmet law.

It’s not like that here in Toronto. Sure, we have a few passionate helmet advocates here, but they are certainly in the minority. We also have a lot more non-helmeted riders here than I saw in DC (I believe 40% of riders wear helmets here in Ontario).

Cheers,
James / theurbancountry.com

Those balmy evening scenes reminds me of my years living in Cairns.

I think I need to go on a bicycle holiday to the top end.

Looking forward to the film.