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Danish law proposal defeated

A proposal for a bike helmet law for children under 12 was roundly defeated in the Danish Parliament on 28th May. Put forward by the Socialist People's Party, it was was thrown out by 90 votes to 21.

Pia Olsen Dyhr, proposing, said that despite campaigns over the past couple of years, the number of children cycling hasn't risen. Indeed, the number of children cycling in Denmark has been falling, some say because of the fearmongering tactics to promote helmets.

Karsten Nombo, opposing, said:

"We can try and imagine that if we pass this law making it illegal not to wear a bike helmet, what would that mean? Well, it would mean that children would always have to wear a bike helmet in places where the traffic laws apply. In other words, children would have to wear a bike helmet in camping grounds, they'll have to wear bike helmets on the sidewalk, they'll have to wear bike helmets on city squares, they'll have to wear them everywhere because it became law. I am quite sure, as the Minister of Justice also said, that many people will stop cycling."

He added: "It's amusing that often it is people who don't cycle very often who bring these things to the table"

Sat 20 Jun 2009

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