http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/ BikingToronto Forum Topic: Councillor Walker wants Helmets to be Mandatory en Tue, 21 May 2013 17:51:42 +0000 http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=110#post-687 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:21:07 +0000 toddtyrtle 687@http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/ <p>Do you think this is part of why drivers are *so* adamant about this? They know they're driving a projectile and it freaks them out to know that they could easily kill someone and want every assurance that if they're careless, inattentive, aggressive, or just plain unlucky, there's a little more chance the victim will survive? </p> http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=110#post-671 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:48:43 +0000 Duncan 671@http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/ <p>Why is it that many drivers show no respect for cyclists not wearing a helmet? And then, when we do wear helmets, they pass too closely because of this magical plastic bucket that is not capable of repelling a few tonnes of steel and stupidity?</p> <p>I really need to see some actual benefits of a law like this... an HST tax hike that will increase costs for cyclists, plus the requirement of helmets, isn't going to get those who can afford cars out of them. </p> http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=110#post-669 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:10:19 +0000 joe 669@http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/ <p>This is to be discussed next wednesday at City Council:</p> <p><ul><li><em><br /> <strong><a href="http://www.insidetoronto.ca/article/74980">City committee set to discuss cycling policy changes</a></strong></p> <p>City politicians may not have felt easy talking about the specifics of Toronto's latest cycling fatality that happened the night of Monday, Aug. 31. But next week, councillors on the public works and infrastructure committee will be debating two possible changes to the way motorists and cyclists interact on city streets.</p> <p>St. Paul's Councillor Michael Walker has two motions on next Wednesday's agenda: one, asking that the city look at requiring cyclists to have a license in order to operate on city streets, and a second asking that it become mandatory for all cyclists to wear a helmet.</p> <p>"We can't stick our heads in the sand and revert to this idyllic view of cyclists" he said. "We've moved a quantum leap from there. Bicyclists are much more prominently recognized as an alternative form of transportation - that's been in government policy and taxpayers' money."</p> <p>Walker's two motions would both involve resurrecting ideas that have been attempted before. Former Ontario premier Bob Rae briefly instituted a province-wide requirement that all cyclists wear helmets. When his NDP government was defeated in 1995, incoming premier Mike Harris revoked the law for adults, only requiring helmets for children.</p> <p>Walker says it's time to bring it back.<br /> </em></li></ul> </p> http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=110#post-238 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:33:49 +0000 joe 238@http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/ <p>This story has been picked up by the great Copenhagen bike blog - <a href="http://www.copenhagenize.com/">Copenhagenize</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.copenhagenize.com/2009/07/kissing-torontos-bicycle-culture.html">Kissing Toronto's Bicycle Culture Goodbye</a> </p> http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=110#post-227 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:38:02 +0000 joe 227@http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/ <p>In addition to wanting <a href="http://bikingtoronto.com/forum/topic.php?id=80">bikes and/or cyclists to be licensed</a>, <a href="http://www.michaelwalker.ca/">Councillor Walker</a> also wants to make wearing helmets mandatory.</p> <p>His motion has been seconded by <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/councillors/hall1.htm">Councillor Suzan Hall</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.michaelwalker.ca/files/motions/Bike_Helmets-June3-09.pdf">The PDF of the motion is here</a>. </p>