Scooter culture is part and parcel of the laid-back North Coast lifestyle.
It is a quick, convenient and economical mode of transport.
Two wheels particularly makes sense along beachfront areas where parking is in short supply and congestion causes tempers to flair.
Possibly because scooters are easy to ride and at relatively slow speeds, people unfortunately tend to become complacent about wearing safety helmets.
The Courier chatted to eThekwini Metro’s Colonel Boysee Zungu, Medi Response’s Janus van Schalkwyk and 50-year motorcycling veteran, Rodney Oelofse, to find out why it is essential to always wear a motorcycle helmet.
What does the law say?
It is a legal requirement. Colonel Zungu said in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, regulation 207, it is compulsory for drivers and passengers of motorised two-wheelers and tricycles, regardless of engine type, to wear a helmet on all roads. It also has to be an approved helmet that meets current safety standards. Bicycle and skateboard helmets are not acceptable.
A paramedic’s perspective
Having seen untold traumatic head injuries, Van Schalkwyk said it was not only about speed. Motorcyclists are always vulnerable.
“Riding at 40km/h and hitting a car travelling at 60 km/h head-on results in a 100km/h impact without the cabin protection of a car and a safety belt,” said Van Schalkwyk.
He highlighted the possibility of suffering a serious head injury and becoming disabled even just from falling from a standing position and hitting one’s head on the curb.
“Furthermore, it’s not just about you, but also those around you. Head injuries often result in people becoming dependant on others and that can ruin families.”
He added that wearing a full-face helmet with a visor also protected the rider from penetrating injuries to the face and eyes that could for instance cause blindness.
Choosing the right helmet
Umdloti resident Rodney Oelofse is an experienced motorcyclist.
He has completed the Roof of Africa twice, worked as a motorbike salesman in his early years while competing in many enduro events before transitioning to road rallies and the sleek BMW RT1250 touring bike he rides today.
Having lost his son in a tragic motorbike accident, he knows the hardship of losing a loved one.
He outlined four tiers to consider when choosing a helmet: type, quality, fit and colour.
“Full-face is the safest,” he said outright as it protects your jaw, face, eyes and head.
Secondly, you need to consider quality, and that means sticking to the most reputable brands such as Bell, Shoei and AGV.
“If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet. Anything under R2 000 is not a safe helmet. Those helmets either don’t absorb the impact, or they’re too soft and could dent into one’s head on impact. Carbon fibre is the gold standard. It is the strongest and the lightest.”
Unfortunately, a good one can set you back as much as R10 000.
“If that’s out of your price range, stay with the brand but then go for fibre glass. Good fibre glass helmets are just as strong as carbon fibre because they are made thicker. However, the safety level goes down only because of the added weight.
“A heavier helmet could cause the neck to snap faster on impact,” he said.
Oelofse said the rule of the road was that any helmet, no matter how good, had to be discarded the moment it sustained a significant impact as its integrity and safety would be compromised.
When it comes to fit, choosing the correct helmet size that fits the shape of your head is just as important. Too tight is uncomfortable, while too loose is unsafe.
“Be flexible. If a certain brand doesn’t fit the shape of your head, buy the one that does. All heads and helmets are different.”
Lastly, colour. White is the most visible on the road and gets Oelofse’s stamp of approval. However, if you do buy a black or dark colour helmet, he recommends putting a strip of reflective tape on the back to improve visibility.
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