Bicycle helmets: A very British obsession
If the sight of the first snowdrop signals the arrival of Spring, then the news articles that always appear at this time each year about potholes and the need for bicycle helmets to be made compulsory must herald the forthcoming cycling season.
In the news last week the AA claimed £100m is needed to rectify Britain’s roads and this week motoring organisation GEM announced its sponsorship of the latest cycle helmet campaign by the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, a group that believes helmets should be compulsory.
According to GEM chief executive David Williams said: “There needs to be clear guidance from Government in the form of legislation making it compulsory for all cyclists under the age of 14 to wear an approved safety helmet.”
Cycle industry website, Bikebiz.com, makes the point that despite the fact many times more children suffer head injuries in cars, in playgrounds and at home, Williams does not advocate compulsory helmet wearing for all children at all times, just when they ride bikes.
To wear or not to wear, that is the question
The Environmental Transport Association asked cyclists in London this week what they thought about cycle helmets and as one might expect the film reflects strongly-held views.
An increasing number of British cyclists wear helmets, but counter-intuitive as it seems, head injury rates have not decreased as one might expect.
| A very British obsession | Should cycle helmets be made compulsory? |
|---|---|
| A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Injury rates in countries where very few cyclists wear helmets are amongst the lowest in the world. There is much speculation over why this might be, but the statistics makes a strong argument against any move to make helmet wearing mandatory until thorough research is undertaken. |
For a detailed analysis of the arguments for and against helmet effectiveness visit Cyclehelmets.org
Protect yourself, protect your bike
Every cycle insurance policy from the ETA covers against theft, vandalism and accidental damage (even at race events) and includes third party insurance, personal accident cover, bicycle breakdown cover and more…
