Originally Posted by
mconlonx
Those residents of Vancouver who care should be using this to fight the MHL politically, striking while the iron is hot, while this other fellow is in the news taking it through judicial channels.
http://www.cityofvancouver.us/Strate...8&itemID=52302
Strategic Plan with all kinds of mention of bicycles, livability, environment, congestion etc.
Take the issue of helmet use as it applies to ridership up with either the
Planning Commission (they are responsible for implementation of the Strategic Plan) or the
Public Health Advisory Council... who is apparently one person, Joan Caley.
Cultivate a working relationship with Joan Caley working from the Health Advisory Council, and attend Planning Commission meetings. When the opportunity for public comment at Planning meetings arises, bring the MHL up and how it works in many ways against the Strategic Plan.
while it's always good to educate people on the problems with helmet laws, it's important to remember this is a provincial law and only the provincial legislators can change it.
After decades of selling the public on the idea that cycling is dangerous, and helmets are the cure, developing support to throw out the law is a politically dicey one and an issue most elected officials will not commit to. This is why the publicity that surrounds this challenge is important. The public needs to learn certain facts that run in the face of the impressions they've been sold.