Pro-cycle group to challenge helmet laws

A member of a pro-cycling group will tomorrow challenge the Land Transport Safety Authority's (LTSA) right to make him wear a helmet.

Patrick Morgan of Cycling Health is appealing against an LTSA decision to decline his application to ride a bike without a helmet. The appeal will be heard in the Wellington District Court.

The LTSA has the power to issue exemptions for religious or medical reasons or on other reasonable grounds.

Mr Morgan said his initial application was made on "reasonable grounds", including the lack of protection bike helmets offered and the possibility of greater spinal and brain injury in some accidents. He said helmets discouraged people from cycling, therefore depriving them of the resulting health benefits.

Car drivers and pedestrians were not required to wear helmets, despite research suggesting they would provide similar or greater protection than for cyclists, Mr Morgan said.

LTSA spokesman Andy Knackstedt declined to comment on the court case, but said the benefits of cycle helmets were well proven.