Bicycle insanity

HELMET IGNORANCE

Paul Makin

Journalist

Email Paul
Last updated:
Young bike riders in Port Douglas dicing with death or serious injury All pictures: Paul Makin

A growing issue is unfolding in Port Douglas as adults and young cyclists flout helmet laws, a trend that seems to echo throughout the Shire even though it’s compulsory headwear for bike riders.

As I watch thismadness it reminds me of a gentleman I was told about by Queensland medico’s who is now aged 61, who fell off his bike at age 13 and sustained permanent brain damage as a result, leaving him both physically and mentally impaired.

He has very limited mobility, his intellect is severely impaired, and has permanent loss of mental capacity and agility. He’s only one of many who are left scarred for life.

If only these people playing ‘Russian Roulette’ on bikes could visit and see those people in the community who are now struggling to live as normal a life as possible, with the physical effects and brain damage they have incurred when falling off their bike, scooter or skateboard whilst not wearing helmet protection.

Education is vital
Surely, we, as a community, should do everything we can to inform and educate our young folk (and some older folk who should know better) of the legal requirements regarding the wearing of helmets and how to safely cycle on our streets and pathways.

That’s why I’m doing this story for Newsport. If we can save just one person from this sort of life disaster, we’ve done our job. The fine for not wearing a helmet seems totally inadequate. Bicycle riders failing to wear a helmet under Queensland Road Rules—Section 256(1) is $154.

The cost to the Community and the shattering of lives come at a higher cost. As you’ll see in the photo I took for this article of local kids on their bikes, it’s not only the non-wearing of helmets that’s the issue, but the plain stupidity of riding on the handlebars.

The camera doesn’t lie, these young ins are dicing with death or serious injury by the way they’re using their bikes. I’ve also seen young people texting on their phone while riding up the road on the wrong side and not wearing a helmet. It’s insane!

Local cyclist Tracey McLean knows too well the feeling of coming off a bike and hitting the deck. Tracey is lucky to be alive after a heavy fall on the main road coming into Port Douglas.

The helmet she was wearing saved her life. Tracey’s husband Geoff, a very experienced rider, told Newsport that at the speed his wife’s head hit the road (approx. 30km’s per hour) it was equal to the energy of two tons coming down on her head.

“That’s why it’s vital every bike rider is wearing a good quality approved helmet,
without that protection Tracey would no longer be with us,” said Geoff. Amidst the helmet controversy, there is a resounding call for community action to educate, enforce, and prevent life-altering incidents.

"That's why it's vital every bike rider is wearing a good quality approved helmet because without that protection tracey would be no longer with us," Geoff said.

Amidst the helmet controversy there is a resounding call for community action to educate, enforce and prevent life-altering incidents.

This article aims to contribute to the collective effort to safeguard lives and prevent tragedies on our streets.

Geoff and Tracey McLean say this helmet saved her life.
The top-quality helmet took the full force of Tracey’s bike crash Picture: Paul Makin
A common sight these days in our Shire of bike riders not wearing helmets Picture: Paul Makin

Thank you!

Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.

Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.

* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.