No helmet legal for Unicycle rider?

Today, in Hornsby, I saw a bloke riding along on a unicycle.

I have to admit to being very impressed.

Anyhow, I noticed he didn't have a helmet on, but, when I thought about
it, I expect that it is perfectly legal.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

In NSW, a unicycle is bundled in the same class as 'bicycles', and thus
observe the same rights and restrictions as bicycles.

A helmet is legally required, but it's one of those very rarely if at all
enforced things.

 

It may well be bundled in with bikes in the minds of the cops, but I'd
bet thruppence that the folk writing the rules didn't even think of
unicycles, and, consequently, it isn't.

The folk that write rules ain't exactly smart, otherwise they'd have
real jobs. ;-)

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Ah, but it is.
In the Australian Road Rules, in part, under "dictionary" (where the
definitions are) Page 393:
<http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/downloads/pts1-21.pdf>

<quote>
"bicycle" means a vehicle with 1 or more wheels that is built to be propelled
by human power through a belt, chain or gears (whether or not it has an
auxiliary motor), and:

(a) includes a pedicab, penny-farthing, scooter, tricycle and unicycle; but

(b) does not include a wheelchair, wheeled recreational device, wheeled toy,
or any vehicle with an auxiliary motor capable of generating a power output
over 200 watts (whether or not the motor is operating).

Well, yes, but that's an entirely different story.

 

So a rocket powered bicycle with no pedals is not a bicycle, but with
pedals it is. I think this _is_ a bicycle


Nev..
'07 XB12X

 

Ah, but it gets stupider than that.

The australian road rules change the definition of a vehicle depending on
who is driving/riding it.

If you're 12 years old or over and you're riding a scooter, you're riding a
scooter.

If you're UNDER 12 years old and you're riding a scooter, you're actually
riding a "toy".

The implications of this change drastically if the scooter in question has a
motor that's capable of more than 200W. In that case, it's a registerable
vehicle, that's otherwise unregistered.
Unless of course, it's a toy. I'm glad I brought that up, it's all so much
clearer now.

Was that speed right? 200 and something? You'd be hard pressed to find a
bike computer capable of that.

Let alone the tyres.

Shit, and I was worried about blowing tyres at 60+.

 

Shaft would qualify as being driven by gears.

 

They're capable of measuring much faster than that. I had this one on
my Honda over 400kph. http://www.thisstupidurl.com/sigma1.jpg

Nev..
'07 XB12X

 

In WA unicycles are classed as toys, with skateboards and such, and are not
allowed on roads.

Theo

 

What about countersteering?

 

I was in Perth for a couple of weeks, a few months ago, and since I was
going to get some riding in, I thought I'd read up on their road rules.

Two that come to mind:

Reflectors are required by law to be installed in several locations around
the bike, including spokes. Now really, that increases your dorkiness factor
by 16 points alone.
On that note, reflectors are required by law to be fit to both sides of your
pedals. Since many/most cleats are small and as such do not have provision
for reflectors, this effectively outlaws most of them.
This was especially important to me, since I ONLY ever ride on cleats.

Another was the height of the handlebars cannot be some centimetres above
the seat. Effecively outlawing 'Dragster' style bikes.




Nice to know that we're not the only ones with nutcases in charge.

 

I think you'll find those laws are pretty much standard around Oz, and
pretty much ignored.
It does, however, allow me an easy comback from those that claim that only
motorists break the law, and all cyclists are good lawabiding citizens.

Theo

 

The reflector laws perhaps, even allowing for little variances, but the
handlebar thing? No way, that's a very specific stupid.

My objection is if there is a law that's never otherwise enforced, then why
not get rid of it? It's only possible use is to fine miscreants when there's
nothing else that they've done wrong.

Fine you say, but it also works for power hungry cops who have nothing
better to do than piss people off.

Whoops, what am I standing on? Ah yes, my soapbox again.

Everybody breaks the law. And I mean that in a very literal way. You can't
go through a day in your life without at the very least rubbing shoulders with
some type of law.
The whole reason society functions at all is because some of these laws are
not enforced.

What they DO do however, is make sure only the ones who CAN get away with
it, DO get away with it. Commercial outfits, who have to comply, DO comply
because they don't really have a choice. Paper trails, witnesses and thus
liability tend to get in the way.


And this applies in WA:

At the end of the day, there is no such thing as the timeless classic (well,
some people think so) as the dragster bike. If you can't sell it, it won't
exist in any real capacity. - And again, some suit, who's wearing their ties
too tight cutting off oxygen to their remaining four brain cells has drafted a
law, all the while making it look like they're making society run smoothly.

My big fat hairy arse.

Damn soap box, it's back again.

 

Shit, I was an adult before the first dragster bicyle appeared here. So, not
quite timeless.

Theo

 

They made a comeback here in NSW a few years ago, and have since been
"updated". They now carry a HUGE rear tyre, something that would be at home
on a small motorcycle.

And apparently, they're selling. Not like the proverbial hotcakes, but
selling reasonably well regardless.

I wasn't in Perth for too long, so didn't have opportunity to have a really
good look around, but didn't see any - in bike shops or otherwise.

 

Yeah, sortof left myself open to that one.

Nah, that was the deckie.

Theo

 

OK, I owe you thruppence. <sigh>

regards,
CrazyCam

 

I'm trying to envisage this, and am having lots of trouble. Any chances
of a url to a schematic or pic, to help enlighten me?

 

It was horrible! I even tried riding it with my arms crossed (left
hand on right bar, and vice versa) but it still didn't work!


BTH

 

So it's OK if it has no belt chain or gears then (like pretty-much every
unicycle!!)