Behind paternalism is political complicity

(young Berlin couple, free of bicycle helmet laws)

Australian governments have an inability to recognise that the dream of holistic cycling safety, currently veiled by mandatory helmet requirements, is an impossibility.

Consequently the inability to accept that they are wrong has resulted in continued adherence to flawed policy, and diminished civil rights.

Such blinkered political behaviour is gravely problematic, and reveals blatant injustice.

Maybe the Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Chris Hedges is on the money with his comments on 'the power elite' in "Zero point of systemic collapse":

"...appealing to their better nature or seeking to influence the internal levels of power will no longer work"

...so until I come up with a better plan...

I defy injustice and,

I refuse to surrender to the vast commercial enterprise of bicycle helmet laws and,

I resist the wilful abuse of my civil liberties and,

I won't wear a helmet!!

"I still call Australia home!"

(hmmmn...new fixie at our place - cherished by 'another')

I'm ba-ack! - and have cycled straight into the friendly street banter I've come to know and love (??)...

1. "where's your fucking helmet?"

and,

2. "why don't you get a fucking car?"

...I just couldn't resist pitching the following reply to querulous young lads near Central Station last night, in answer to Q.1.,

- 'they're for sissies like you'

...boy! did they burr up!!!!!

Disappointingly, no chance to deliver an answer to Q.2. though, as that came from 'impossibly-young-driver' in 'impossibly-expensive-german-car' as he whizzed past my 'inside' in Macquarie Street!

Funtimes "Down Under"!

'Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner...'

...that I love London so.

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner,
That I think of her,
Wherever I go...

I get a funny feeling inside of me,
When I'm walking up & down.

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner
That I love London Town
(Gerroff me barrow!)
That I--LOVE--LONDON--TOWN!!!

...but you know something really, really weird??? - we saw more bicycle helmets & hi-vis vests than we've ever seen in Newtown - NUTS!!!!

DON'T DO IT, BRITAIN, DON'T AGREE TO BICYCLE HELMET LAWS!!!

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T DO IT!!
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("Sad we didn't 'rendez-vous', Mark! - but back in Feb so maybe coffee-date then? - might even qualify for the old 'boris-bikes' if I get my act together pronto!!! - au revoir x")

Köln und das rad - lots!

A familiar lament - not enough time!

Köln, Germany's 4th largest city, and as 'hummy' as can be!

Lots of art, spires, bicycles...! What more could you want?

BERLIN - never enough time!

One weekend = not enough = need a life-time!

Grey & wet, grungy & beautiful - loved! loved! loved Berlin!

...full of...

* museums & music ('b-flat acoustic & jazz club' - oh! the jazz!!!)

* bicycles & wine bars ('muret la barba', weinbar on Rosenthaler Strasse, directly oppostie 'b-flat' - you need to know this!! - plenty of room for your bicycle on either side of the street!)

...and that's just for starters - naturally lots more too!

Sad to say 'auf wiedersehen und tschüss!' but happy to say 'can't wait to return!!!'

WE WILL BE BACK!

...next stop...Hamburg!

Our cycling 'bliss' continues, which alternatively translates into explicit reiteration that Australia sucks as far as cycling goes!

We're now in Hamburg, the 2nd largest city in Germany, and notwithstanding the immensely busy city traffic, cyclists are fully incorporated into the transport climate!...

...no more excuses, Australia!...this is a really 'busy' city, and the traffic flies past - it is evident to all that there is such a notion as safe intergration!

As with the Netherlands, strict liability continues to be the 'order of the day' for any hapless motorist who might 'bump' a cyclist.

Why is this not the case in Australia? It appears to be an inordinately useful measure, and is mentioned by many who use bicycles as they manoeuvre themselves around their European cities.

How about it, Aussie pollies? - could be a 'goodie' in terms of strategic traffic planning - in fact would change behaviour overnight.

Prima facie in a 'nutshell', and upon the facts as I understand them, we need:

* Strict liability for 'people using cars' who collect 'people using bicycles'

* Separate infrastructure as speed disparity grows between 'people using cars' & 'people using bicycles'

* REPEAL OF BICYCLE HELMET LAWS - PRONTO!

...why is my advice so rarely followed? sigh!

Gorgeous Groningen

Couple of days in this 'funky' town and we're hooked!

Brilliant student vibe, groovy cycling, sensational walking, fantastic 'eten en drinken', and live music everywhere...

...oh! and also, needless to mention, bucket loads of bicycles and people using them!!!

My bicycle bliss!!! My bicycle paradise!!!