Page 2500 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 14 November 1989
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In case there is some concern about the dangers of mixing cyclists, particularly fast cyclists, and motor traffic, studies overseas, particularly in Canada, have indicated that where these facilities are provided for the use of commuter cyclists there is a marked reduction in the accident rate. I would encourage the Minister's department to look at this very carefully when they are discussing the issues with organisations like Pedal Power.
In closing, I would like to take up a point that my colleague Mrs Nolan made in relation to helmets. I seem to recall that there was a proposal initiated by a service club in the Tuggeranong Valley which encouraged school children within the area to wear cycle helmets. The club provided a considerable subsidy to young students of the schools so that they could purchase appropriate headgear. Of course, we have all heard the discussions about hard helmets versus soft helmets, but I will not get into that. That is another argument for another time. I know certain people in the cyclists' fraternity believe that the hard helmets are a danger, whereas the softer helmets are more appropriate. That is an interesting argument which we will not continue today.
The service club I was referring to encouraged large numbers of children to purchase and use cycle helmets. One of the major problems with this is the problem associated with peer pressure. I think it is important that we start our children wearing helmets as young as possible if they are going to cycle to school using the cycle paths. The suburban cycle paths were designed so that children would not have to ride on major roads or cross major roads to get to schools. That was basically my understanding of what this particular aspect of planning was all about.
So I think it is important, and I would like to see the Minister's office possibly assisting service organisations and others who might wish to encourage and develop the wearing of helmets amongst the youngsters at our schools from the very earliest age. From the time they get onto their bikes and use them to ride to school, helmet wearing should be encouraged. Service clubs, I am sure, would be happy to participate in this. The service club that I was involved with, Mr Speaker, nominated the project for an Australia-wide competition - in fact it made the finals of that community based competition - because of the initiative and clear thinking behind that particular concept.
So, Mr Speaker, the Rally supports quite strongly the amendments that have been made here today, but I think it is appropriate that the Minister's office should take note of this, particularly when planning new freeways. I understand that the eastern freeway makes no provision for fast commuter cyclists, which is unfortunate. That is something that the Minister may wish to look at. Certainly, if we are talking about Gungahlin - I know it is
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