Laws for cyclists of Queensland have become strict, as cyclists have to pay $100 fine, if they do not wear helmets.

However, Sue Abbott, who was fined $50 for not wearing a helmet, filed a court case in the NSW District Court and her fine was overturned.

The objection, which Abbott put forth, was that the risk of brain damage is increased by wearing a helmet and compelling a person to wear a helmet is a breach of his or her civil rights.

She claimed that there is no clear evidence that a person’s life can be saved by wearing a helmet and a person would be at a greater risk of brain damage by wearing a helmet, as ‘diffuse axonal injury’ can develop in the brain.

“A helmet could increase angular acceleration which an oblique impulse imparts to the head, increasing the risk of damage to the brain, especially diffuse axonal injury”, she told the court.

Abbott also showed a report from the National Health and Medical Research Council to the court as evidence. The report had issued a warning that wearing a helmet can lead to increased diffuse brain injury and greater rotational forces.

She said to the court that for her, wearing a helmet is not advantageous, but in most of the situations it can be disadvantageous.