Keen cyclist Arnold Schwarzenegger has been stopped by police in Victoria for not wearing a helmet, an offence that carries a $146 (£75) fine.
The 67-year-old Terminator star, who uses a bike to get about the cities he visits, was advised by Australian police to visit the nearest 7-Eleven and buy a helmet for $5.
To wear or not to wear, that is the question
Many more people suffer head injuries in cars and the home than while cycling, but few people would advocate compulsory helmet wearing by car drivers or pedestrians.
An increasing number of British cyclists choose to wear helmets, but counter-intuitive as it seems, head injury rates have not decreased as one might expect.
Injury rates in countries where very few cyclists wear helmets are amongst the lowest in the world. There is much speculation over why this might be, but the statistics makes a strong argument against any move to make helmet wearing mandatory until thorough research is undertaken. For a detailed analysis of the arguments for and against helmet effectiveness visit Cyclehelmets.org
Protect yourself, protect your bike
ETA cycle insurance was developed by a group of us who are avid cyclists. We tailored the policy to the way that most of us use and store our bikes. It’s the reason we don’t devalue your bike over time, or charge extra for £5m third party cover, friends and family cover, cycle breakdown or cover when you take your bike abroad. Most unusually for a cycle insurer, we are passionate about riding, building and promoting bikes. Take a closer look at what we offer in our cycle insurance or get an instant quote.
For 25 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered.
Many cycle insurers offer very limited cover, charging extra for features we believe should come as standard – such as third party cover, personal accident or extension of your cover to family and friends. ETA Cycle Insurance provides one fully-comprehensive package for total peace of mind, whatever your cycling needs.
Every cycle insurance policy you buy helps support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner, safer transport future.
Barry Baker
I’m pleased to see that the ETA aren’t simply following the crowd in the matter of cycle helmets. I have also consulted the cyclehelmets.org website several times in the past ten years and concluded there is no evidence that helmets make cycling safer. I shall continue to cycle without. Fortunately I live in a country that has not made it illegal to do so.
Dafydd Bebb
Have been cycling for about 70 years. Fallen off a few times in my younger and more adventurous years usually on ice, rushing to work. (fixed wheel racing bikes were then the fashion). have banged elbows and knees, but never head. Many friends cycle but never heard of any head injuries on road bikes. But would strongly recommend helmet for mountain use where rocks and trees are likely to jump out at you.