Helmets for Skateboarders in Australia

> 10 years ago
Reply
Register to post, see what you've read, and subscribe to topics.
Captain_Morg
Captain_Morg
TAS
737 posts
TAS, 737 posts
3 Nov 2013 7:51pm
Skateboarding in Australia is very popular these days.
With the risk of hitting your head and being knocked out.
Do you think it should be the law that all skateboarders in Australia have helmets on.
What do you think
Rex
Rex
WA
949 posts
Rex Rex
WA, 949 posts
3 Nov 2013 5:25pm
Captain_Morg said..


What do you think


I think no.

However for consistency with mandatory bicycle helmets, yes and yes to scooters, cars, when climbing a ladders, when walking across wet surfaces, while drinking booze,all contact sport, just everything really and so on.
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
3 Nov 2013 5:31pm
I think no, as it is banned on the street (At least in WA)...... so it is not the same as riding a bicycle.
hilly
hilly
WA
8120 posts
WA, 8120 posts
3 Nov 2013 6:08pm
Mark _australia said...
I think no, as it is banned on the street (At least in WA)...... so it is not the same as riding a bicycle.


Not banned on the street only major roads with lines on them. Fine on backstreets.

Big no to helmets being law.
DunkO
DunkO
NSW
1150 posts
NSW, 1150 posts
3 Nov 2013 9:16pm
No f ing way, the last thing the country needs is more laws , it's your bloody head.

Just like wearing life jackets windsurfing!

Police should be focused on criminals not kids skateboarding

This country is becoming the biggest nannied society , people should look after themselves it's not someone else's job to tell you what should and shouldn't do!
kiteboy dave
kiteboy dave
QLD
6525 posts
QLD, 6525 posts
3 Nov 2013 8:38pm
The sub sets that really need them generally wear them already... downhill/hardcore/distance/etc.


youngbull
youngbull
QLD
826 posts
QLD, 826 posts
3 Nov 2013 8:40pm
100% no way. Things of this nature including motorbikes,scooters, pushbikes should be your choice like the states.
If your dumb enough not to wear one blah blah blah..
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
3 Nov 2013 6:43pm
hilly said..
Mark _australia said...

I think no, as it is banned on the street (At least in WA)...... so it is not the same as riding a bicycle.



Not banned on the street only major roads with lines on them. Fine on backstreets.

Big no to helmets being law.


I know you can ride in residential streets, but my point is they cannot be considered the same due to the fact a bike can be ridden anywhere (except a freeway).
There are already laws to protect skaters from themselves so a helmet one could be considered much less relevant than one for bikes.


Youngbull, I care - *if only* as my taxes go towards paying for the care of those who choose not to wear one.
I gather you mean seatbelts too.....?
Rex
Rex
WA
949 posts
Rex Rex
WA, 949 posts
3 Nov 2013 8:01pm
Mark _australia said..

hilly said..
Mark _australia said...

I think no, as it is banned on the street (At least in WA)...... so it is not the same as riding a bicycle.



Not banned on the street only major roads with lines on them. Fine on backstreets.

Big no to helmets being law.


I know you can ride in residential streets, but my point is they cannot be considered the same due to the fact a bike can be ridden anywhere (except a freeway).
There are already laws to protect skaters from themselves so a helmet one could be considered much less relevant than one for bikes.


Youngbull, I care - *if only* as my taxes go towards paying for the care of those who choose not to wear one.
I gather you mean seatbelts too.....?



Out of interest, how do you feel about helmets for car drivers? Your taxes go towards those head injuries from vehicle accidents also.
DunkO
DunkO
NSW
1150 posts
NSW, 1150 posts
3 Nov 2013 11:18pm
I can assure you your government wastes you taxes well before it will help a kid with a head knock. On new legislation to enforce all skateboarders wear helmets, does anyone have an idea on the large quantities of cash we spend on rubbish...really I'd like to know?

I have private health cover so am I allowed to hurt myself, please.
youngbull
youngbull
QLD
826 posts
QLD, 826 posts
3 Nov 2013 10:24pm
Mark, Cmon mate. You know if I did not type it I did not mean it.
youngbull
youngbull
QLD
826 posts
QLD, 826 posts
3 Nov 2013 10:32pm
Would you rather (similar to Dunko's reply) your taxes go to policing/implementing policies to regulate new laws for a helmet. Now that's a great way to waste your ever growing taxes. Not to mention every new law/policy is partially outsourced (local-private business). Once again more money more taxes being creatively wasted
Kamikuza
Kamikuza
QLD
6493 posts
QLD, 6493 posts
3 Nov 2013 10:35pm
DunkO said..
criminals = kids skateboarding

... according to some people.
Kamikuza
Kamikuza
QLD
6493 posts
QLD, 6493 posts
3 Nov 2013 10:38pm
youngbull said..

100% no way. Things of this nature including motorbikes,scooters, pushbikes should be your choice like the states.
If your dumb enough not to wear one blah blah blah..

Nope. The law doesn't just protect the riders who decide.

The unfortunate thing is that those tards who won't wear helmets don't fall off and die peacefully and cheaply. Waste of resources... bad enough that thongs/flip-flops/crocs, t-shirts and shorts are considered riding gear.
Kamikuza
Kamikuza
QLD
6493 posts
QLD, 6493 posts
3 Nov 2013 10:41pm
youngbull said..

Would you rather (similar to Dunko's reply) your taxes go to policing/implementing policies to regulate new laws for a helmet. Now that's a great way to waste your ever growing taxes. Not to mention every new law/policy is partially outsourced (local-private business). Once again more money more taxes being creatively wasted

I would bet that like 99% of laws, they are only "policed" after the fact...
"Oh, you had an accident and caused a crash because you're a ****? Hmm, lookee here - let's add another couple hundred dollars to the fines with these obscure laws we discovered you broke..."
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
3 Nov 2013 8:59pm
Rex said..
Out of interest, how do you feel about helmets for car drivers? Your taxes go towards those head injuries from vehicle accidents also.


Then by that logic we must be all for helmets on pedestrians and kids in playgrounds?
Those who own knives must, by law, wear a chainmail glove like abbatoir workers do?

I was pointing out the dissimilar nature of skaters vs bike riders. Not that we must go to ridiculous lengths drawing similarities.
Kamikuza
Kamikuza
QLD
6493 posts
QLD, 6493 posts
3 Nov 2013 11:09pm
Ackshully, I know someone who wears a helmet when riding in or driving a car - she had an accident and went all weird.
Rex
Rex
WA
949 posts
Rex Rex
WA, 949 posts
3 Nov 2013 9:32pm
Mark _australia said..

Rex said..
Mark _australia said..



hilly said..

Mark _australia said...



I think no, as it is banned on the street (At least in WA)...... so it is not the same as riding a bicycle.







Not banned on the street only major roads with lines on them. Fine on backstreets.



Big no to helmets being law.




I know you can ride in residential streets, but my point is they cannot be considered the same due to the fact a bike can be ridden anywhere (except a freeway).

There are already laws to protect skaters from themselves so a helmet one could be considered much less relevant than one for bikes.





Youngbull, I care - *if only* as my taxes go towards paying for the care of those who choose not to wear one.

I gather you mean seatbelts too.....?



Out of interest, how do you feel about helmets for car drivers? Your taxes go towards those head injuries from vehicle accidents also.


Then by that logic we must be all for helmets on pedestrians and kids in playgrounds?
Those who own knives must, by law, wear a chainmail glove like abbatoir workers do?

I was pointing out the dissimilar nature of skaters vs bike riders. Not that we must go to ridiculous lengths drawing similarities.



You said "I care - *if only* as my taxes go towards paying for the care of those who choose not to wear one"

Where do you draw the line then? There is a lack of consistency behind the logic of wanting to force helmets on people to reduce the burden of head trauma.
dinsdale
dinsdale
WA
1227 posts
WA, 1227 posts
3 Nov 2013 10:24pm
Check out some of the stats on head injuries sustained in the toilet, the bath and the shower. Helmets an absolute must there.
Mark _australia
Mark _australia
WA
23647 posts
WA, 23647 posts
3 Nov 2013 10:46pm
Rex said..
Mark _australia said..





You said "I care - *if only* as my taxes go towards paying for the care of those who choose not to wear one"

Where do you draw the line then? There is a lack of consistency behind the logic of wanting to force helmets on people to reduce the burden of head trauma.


I think you missed something. I was responding to Youngbull who said "100% no way. Things of this nature including motorbikes,scooters, pushbikes should be your choice like the states.
If your dumb enough not to wear one blah blah blah.."

I asserted that they are NOT all the same as there is already laws governing skaters, who are different to bikes.
My comment about seatbelts was obviously as he made it sound like every category of road/vehicle use should have absolute choice

Put simply - CARS are allowed on roads but u have to wear seatbelts. BIKES are allowed but you have to wear a helmet..
SKATEBOARDS are not allowed except on little residential streets so have no other restriction. There is no lack of consistency and the line is already drawn.

Rex
Rex
WA
949 posts
Rex Rex
WA, 949 posts
3 Nov 2013 11:16pm
Mark _australia said..

Rex said..
Mark _australia said..





You said "I care - *if only* as my taxes go towards paying for the care of those who choose not to wear one"

Where do you draw the line then? There is a lack of consistency behind the logic of wanting to force helmets on people to reduce the burden of head trauma.


I think you missed something. I was responding to Youngbull who said "100% no way. Things of this nature including motorbikes,scooters, pushbikes should be your choice like the states.
If your dumb enough not to wear one blah blah blah.."

I asserted that they are NOT all the same as there is already laws governing skaters, who are different to bikes.
My comment about seatbelts was obviously as he made it sound like every category of road/vehicle use should have absolute choice

Put simply - CARS are allowed on roads but u have to wear seatbelts. BIKES are allowed but you have to wear a helmet..
SKATEBOARDS are not allowed except on little residential streets so have no other restriction. There is no lack of consistency and the line is already drawn.



The lack of consistency exists because you can still get pinged for riding your bike on bike paths without a helmet, its not just about roads and streets. But I get where you are coming from.
youngbull
youngbull
QLD
826 posts
QLD, 826 posts
4 Nov 2013 2:01am
It makes no sense to me why we should protect others stupidity so much or even care so much. Someone placing themselves in harms way in no responsibility of anyone. Yes my comments are ruthless and poor in the sense the other people affected by someones misfortune but it is the truth.

I was not born to nanny a clown who chooses to do something silly/outlandish or pay for his/her stupidity but we are all being forced to.
BTW I have worn helmets and seatbelts my whole life I just don't agree with people who enforce and fine you for not following their agenda, its logical to always play safe.
Kamikuza
Kamikuza
QLD
6493 posts
QLD, 6493 posts
4 Nov 2013 2:18am
youngbull said..

It makes no sense to me why we should protect others stupidity so much or even care so much. Someone placing themselves in harms way in no responsibility of anyone. Yes my comments are ruthless and poor in the sense the other people affected by someones misfortune but it is the truth.

I was not born to nanny a clown who chooses to do something silly/outlandish or pay for his/her stupidity but we are all being forced to.
BTW I have worn helmets and seatbelts my whole life I just don't agree with people who enforce and fine you for not following their agenda, its logical to always play safe.

I agree but that's not how it works - in modern communities and societies, we're all interconnected and asshats who brain themselves riding without a helmet etc get cared for by... the rest of us, wether you want to do so or not.

So to protect you and me - the smart guys - we gotta have laws to (try and) protect the smacktards from themselves, in order to protect... us.

It's logical when you think about it, in a perverse way. Unfortunately, they don't use that same logic for sensible things like legalizing pot
Mr Milk
Mr Milk
NSW
3137 posts
NSW, 3137 posts
4 Nov 2013 10:33am
Helmet obsessives, please note that helmets only make a small change to the outcome of an accident where you land on your head.
Last week in Sydney a law abiding responsible cyclist got killed from head injuries. He crashed through being too competitive in commuter traffic. ie a group of 4 or 5 lycra clad execs riding to work along a main road. A car slowed in front, he went round it without due care and got bumped into oncoming traffic.
The previous week, a 15 year old got killed not wearing a helmet. He rode off carelessly when the cops were after him for no helmet. It is fair to say that helmet laws caused that death. He would have had no reason to avoid the cops if he wasn't afraid of being ticketed for the lack of helmet. No chase...no crash.
As for your skateboards, helmets are a bit ridiculous. The kids on board have better balance and coordination than I do. Except when they are seriously trying to set downhill speed records they are travelling well below running speed. When they come off, they use their hands to break their fall. Which means abrasions and the odd broken wrist.
Mr Milk
Mr Milk
NSW
3137 posts
NSW, 3137 posts
4 Nov 2013 10:42am
Kamikuza said..

youngbull said..

It makes no sense to me why we should protect others stupidity so much or even care so much. Someone placing themselves in harms way in no responsibility of anyone. Yes my comments are ruthless and poor in the sense the other people affected by someones misfortune but it is the truth.

I was not born to nanny a clown who chooses to do something silly/outlandish or pay for his/her stupidity but we are all being forced to.
BTW I have worn helmets and seatbelts my whole life I just don't agree with people who enforce and fine you for not following their agenda, its logical to always play safe.

I agree but that's not how it works - in modern communities and societies, we're all interconnected and asshats who brain themselves riding without a helmet etc get cared for by... the rest of us, wether you want to do so or not.

So to protect you and me - the smart guys - we gotta have laws to (try and) protect the smacktards from themselves, in order to protect... us.

It's logical when you think about it, in a perverse way. Unfortunately, they don't use that same logic for sensible things like legalizing pot



About this time last year a report came out about the increased salt content of fast food and supermarket food. The authors estimated that the effect on blood pressure (increase) would result in an extra 2000 strokes a year. Compare that with the 4 or 5 serious head injuries prevented by bike helmets. Are you going to be consistent and insist that the big public health issues be addressed by fines? Or maybe conspiracy to cause death or bodily harm?
Kamikuza
Kamikuza
QLD
6493 posts
QLD, 6493 posts
4 Nov 2013 1:50pm
Is there a prize for The Most Consistent Opinions? What do I win?

I thought it was sugar, not salt...? Either way, it probably needs to be regulated, eh, fatty.

Small change? Nonsense. Brains are fairly easy to damage and it's tough to spot life-threatening injuries without medical attention... which you probably don't feel like you need so don't bother with. By way of analogy, you can still die wearing a seat belt but, like helmets, the severity of the accident can be dramatically reduced.

Should it be policed? Not by chasing people, IMO - same with speeding tickets.

If it saves 1 in 100 from brain damage... isn't it worth it?

Obvsiouly, you've never fallen off a skateboard
saltiest1
saltiest1
NSW
2568 posts
NSW, 2568 posts
4 Nov 2013 7:47pm
can't police common sense.
anyone here actually skate? i used to a bit and still do now a little.... i also had my fair share of head dents and a couple of nasty ones so now its helmet every time for me.
kiteboy dave
kiteboy dave
QLD
6525 posts
QLD, 6525 posts
4 Nov 2013 8:10pm
I'm a noob skater who's fairly obsessed at the moment.

After riding a borrowed longboard for a while, I put this tank together with some fairly unusual parts:
Landyachtz Spud, 90mm Flywheels, Carver C7 Trucks


I call it Tank because it weighs a fair bit but it rolls over anything without hesitation. Very low (with my 100kg flexing the board) so a good pusher.
kiteboy dave
kiteboy dave
QLD
6525 posts
QLD, 6525 posts
4 Nov 2013 8:15pm
Then I saw this beast on Gumtree (after much scouring) and fell in love. Beautiful board and also quite unusual:
Original Torpedo 40", S10 trucks (10" hangar width, springs), and Orangatang In-Heats 75mm wheels.


This board is just gorgeous, I look at it like a new Lamborghini owner must look at his car.
kiteboy dave
kiteboy dave
QLD
6525 posts
QLD, 6525 posts
4 Nov 2013 8:22pm
Now I have one of these about to be shipped:
A Roe Racing Triton, with Don't Trip Poppys, Riptide bushes, and Big Zig wheels.
It's a dedicated LDP board, ie Long Distance Pumping. The board, trucks, wheels, and bushings are carefully set up for pumping. I'm hoping to be able to go for a night pump session 3-4 times per week for fun/fitness. I'll be logging with GPS. This is a fairly new sport in Oz, pretty unknown, but the yanks can hold steady averages between 20-35kph while pumping.



I haven't named this one yet...

To answer your question, Saltiest, I'll wear a helmet while doing LDP for sure.
For the rest, I'm just pushing/carving slowly around the neighborhood, haven't had an off yet where I couldn't just jump off & run it out.
kiteboy dave
kiteboy dave
QLD
6525 posts
QLD, 6525 posts
4 Nov 2013 8:24pm
PS here's a an Aussie guy pumping a Roe Mermaid, very similar to the board above.

Please Register, or first...
Topics Subscribe Reply

Return To Classic site 😭
Or... let us know if a problem, so we can tweak! 😅