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Cyclists ride without helmets in protest of current mandatory laws

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 19 Mar 2018, 5:11AM
Protestors rode through the capital on Saturday, calling for an end to the country's current mandatory helmet laws. (Photo/ Getty)
Protestors rode through the capital on Saturday, calling for an end to the country's current mandatory helmet laws. (Photo/ Getty)

Cyclists ride without helmets in protest of current mandatory laws

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 19 Mar 2018, 5:11AM

Cyclists rode around the capital without helmets on Saturday, calling for an end to helmet laws.

The group rode to Parliament to protest the mandatory helmet laws that are currently in place.

Choice Biking's Co-founder Jeremy Teague who organised the ride, says no-one was injured during the protest, which showed riding without a helmet isn't dangerous.

"Thousands of trips like that happen all over New Zealand every day, without incident. We wanted to get that message across," he said.

New Zealand is one of three countries, alongside Australia and the United Arab Emirates, who have mandatory helmet laws.

Mr Teague says New Zealanders should have the choice to wear helmets, and it should not be mandatory.

"We wanted to demonstrate that using a bicycle without a helmet isn't dangerous. And, we did that - we did the ride."

Some of those involved in the protest chose to wear helmets, which Mr Teague says "was cool," but explained that "most didn't - which was also cool."

He says the next step is to look if they can take the issue to politicians.

Around 20 cyclists participated in the protest.

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