Alan Todd's Page

"Vicki, I carried a doctor's letter with me in the early nineties, and wasn't once ticketed in the around 40 times I was stopped.  Neither Vic (where I live) nor NSW recognise such a letter in their legislation, but it allows the…"

"There is no logic, nor has there ever been.  What the amendment tells us is that (according to the law) wearing a helmet is an important safety measure, but not so important that someone who would prefer to wear a turban should be stopped from…"

"I don't know whether to laugh or cry when BV claim they are there "for all of us".  They certainly aren't there for the above group of cyclists, who they consider should be banned from riding throughout Victoria.  BTW,…"

"I don't think that's correct Vicki.  My understanding is that section 10 allows the court to find you guilty, but no conviction is recorded, and no penalty imposed.  If no conviction is recorded, then there is no record of an…"

"I did about twenty years ago.  I was yelled at from over the road by the local station sergeant, so decided the best option was to pedal fast round the corner, and duck into the nearest shop rather than stop to hear what he wanted to say to me.…"

"Nik, I think the obstacle you would run up against is the same as the one Sue did, even though the "evil to be avoided" is different.  The obstacle is that you can avoid the evil by not riding a bicycle.  We all know that riding…"

"Report on 2nd Magistrates Court Hearing.  8/3/2012  (Part one) Had my “day in court” today, with about the best result I could hope for short of a miraculous “not guilty” I had prepared my case, which was basically…"

"Yes, but the situations are not the same.  On a bike, if you slow right down, check there is no-one crossing in front of you, and no vehicles in or approaching the intersection, and then proceed, the likelihood of having "not seen" a…"

"Careful laughing at NZ.  We started it"

"Amazing logic from the coroner.  Mr. Fitzgerald was wearing reflective stripes.  Mr. Fitzgerald was (presumably, being a policeman) wearing a helmet.  Mr. Fitzgerald was, very unfortunately and regrettably, killed.  So to make…"

"Sorry, I had to watch it.  More hysterical calls for heavier fines (DON'T DO IT, VICTORIA DID AND ITS AWFUL).  Putting aside the obvious and obnoxious "beat up" that this is, the solution to the problem is simple.  At…"

"Happy Valentine's Day to all you helmetless riders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho5HV_9_o_E"

"I will be arguing (amongst other matters) that "it" (wearing a helmet) is not necessary to achieve the objective "reducing risk and extent of head injuries" before the magistrate in Kyneton on 8th March.  Victoria has its…"

"I'd agree with that - it would make a good contribution to that conversation.  Congratulations also to Nik, Tom and Ettienne for their trenchant comments on the conversation, also for responding so well to the hectoring tactics of Mr…"

"I've just done a short interview with the ABC which will be broadcast tomorrow morning on radio national at 7.10 as part of a brief feature they are doing on the latest "study" by Olivier and friends.  Hopefully I won't come…"