Cycle helmets save lives and must be made compulsory
Friday 15th January 2010, 2:59PM GMT.
From Dr Andy Eynon.
I UNDERSTAND that a proposition is to be debated by the States Assembly requiring cyclists to wear helmets.
As the director of the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at the Wessex Neurological Centre in Southampton, I wholeheartedly support this proposal and would urge States Members to vote in favour.
Accident victims on the islands of Jersey and Guernsey who sustain serious head or spinal injuries are transferred to Southampton for emergency treatment. As a result, I see first-hand the effects such injuries have on both the patient and their loved ones.
The vast majority of the patients here are not speeding motorcyclists; they are normal individuals who were doing normal day-to-day activities when they were injured. It makes sense, therefore, that we protect ourselves as best we can from the risk of sustaining a life-changing brain injury.
Cycle helmets offer vital protection to the brain. You would not consider carrying your laptop outside without putting it inside a case. If every cyclist wore a helmet, the number killed or seriously injured each year would be reduced. Prevention is far cheaper than treatment.
It costs society around £25,000 for an individual to be transferred to Southampton, operated on, treated in our intensive care unit and then cared for on our wards. If you consider the costs of rehabilitation plus loss of income from the individual and often their immediate family, the figure can run into many millions of pounds. In contrast, a decent cycle helmet will cost less than £40.
As a society, we have a duty to protect individuals – in particular children – from unnecessary risk.
Actions such as not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle, not wearing a seatbelt, driving while using a mobile phone and even smoking in public are now seen as being socially irresponsible.
It is time that not wearing a helmet while cycling is seen in the same light.
Cycle helmets save lives and must be made compulsory.
Wessex Neurological Centre, University of Southampton.
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An even better way to save lives would be to ban all males under the age of 25 from driving a car. Trouble is we live in a free society where people like to act as they will and long may it last.
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Here we go again! Another late arrival at the Cycle Helmet Debating Society Ball.
Thats three threads now on the same subject.
And this guy most likely knows what he’s talking about, for a change. (Andy, that is. Not Hilary – just in case she’s a guy)
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Are helmets compulsory in England? No.
You are in England. Campaign over there before you start over here.
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That’s right, Gunter.
You tell him. Don’t people understand the
“Rules of Engagement”?
UK cyberspace begins at 50 degrees north!
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Has there been a spate of serious cycle-related accidents in Jersey recently..? Or are cyclists just a pet hate of some Politicians..? Those who say “cyclists should not use the roads” will have to petition the Queen, Royal Assent gives us rights on that issue. The jersey highway code stipulates that ‘motor vehicles should stop, give way and, if necessary, reverse to make way for bicycles’. Well i never…
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2,3&4….I take it that you dont mind paying out £25,000 per head injury going to Southampton and lets see if you like it if its a family member.
Problem with people is that they are the first to complain once its happened to them, but until it does they slate everyone else.
When seat belts were made law people complained but then the death rate falls.
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“Mark G
2,3&4….I take it that you dont mind paying out £25,000 per head”
I wrote comments 2 and 4 Mark, and I fail to see how you “take it” that I was saying anything of the sort.
In the first post (2)I was suggesting that Dr Andy Eynon appeared better qualified to comment than most so far.
In the second (4) I was sugggesting that staunch Jerseyman, Gunter, was being somewhat parochial in his irrelevance.
In both cases you were supposed to read between the lines. I’m not sure that you even read the lines correctly.
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How on earth can Le Verdic call me a “staunch Jerseyman”, especially with a name like Gunter! And how was the comment irrelevant?
Is it parochial to suggest that someone in another country puts his own house in order before interfering over here? I think not.
Besides, the doctor’s opinion, learned though it might be, is just that. An opinion. An expert in neuro-skeletal trauma might form a different opinion.
Nobody directly pays out £25,000 (where did that figure come from, thin air??!). It is an entitlement. It is like trying to count the cost of car drivers who don’t wear helmets in their cars and then suffer head injuries in an accident. I haven’t heard, by the way, of any cyclists who have complained after an accident as Mark G suggests.
As usual, an easy target has been picked by those who ought to know better. Why are cycle helmets not complulsory in England? Why are the good doctors there not preaching to their own?
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What else should we tell our citizens to do. You must wear oven gloves whilst cooking, a face mask when boiling vegetables, steel capped boots when digging your garden, goggles when swimming etc etc Why is the focus on cycle helmets? I guess there must be less than 20 people seriously injured every year in Jersey for not wearing one. How many people per year are directly or indirectly damaged by alcohol or tobacco products – but of course these products make considerablt tax revenue.
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Gunter or Guntere, as the case may be,
I give up. I really do, but I won’t, although I will concede that “irrelevant” bothered me slightly upon re-reading. I think I meant that it was irrelevant whether Dr Andy was in England or not as far as the debate was concerned.
“Is it parochial to suggest that someone in another country puts his own house in order before interfering over here?” – Yes, and irrelevant, so there you go!
I did put “Staunch Jerseyman” in parentheses which is a fairly conventional way to emphasise irony, Gunter(e).
Anyway, seriously, explain to me why it is necessary to live in Jersey in order to pass comment. One day I may reveal where my parents were born, where they lived before I was born, where I was born, where I grew up and where I currently live. I suppose that as my forename is not Hedley, Winter or Snowdon some readers might be excused for wondering if I am of Jersey Le Verdic stock or perhaps from Alsace.
The main thing is that I concern myself with Jersey happenings.
” Why are cycle helmets not complulsory in England? Why are the good doctors there not preaching to their own?”
Probably because it is less of an issue there as most cyclists wear them anyway.
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I think it has to be a case of one minding one’s own business really. Perhaps, as you say, it might be rather better if you did give up.
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C Le Verdic said
““Is it parochial to suggest that someone in another country puts his own house in order before interfering over here?” – Yes, and irrelevant, so there you go!”
In that case, why not campaign for road safety in Eygpt? Or what about safer zebra crossings in France? And don’t they have no speed limits on German motorways? Better start over there, then! And in Spain they ride mopeds without crash helmets. Shall we all go over there and start preaching to the Spaniards?
I think we all know what sort of response would be given to such interference. Still, if you see yourself as an international do gooder, who are we to stop you!?
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Commentator No 10 said
“Why are cycle helmets not complulsory in England? Why are the good doctors there not preaching to their own?”
Probably because it is less of an issue there as most cyclists wear them anyway.”
Where is your evidence? Most cyclists in England do not wear cycle helmets. Someone is just having a go at an easy target in Jersey. As I believe has been said in the foregoing, it is wrong to stand there in England and preach at us when cycle helmets are not compulsory over there. Look to yourself before you criticise others
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I give up. I think I meant that it was irrelevant whether Dr Andy was in Spain or not as far as the debate was concerned.
“Is it parochial to suggest that someone in another country puts his own house in order before interfering over here?” – No, and irrelevant, so there you go!
I did put “Staunch Jerseyman” in parentheses which is a fairly unconventional and unrecognised way to emphasise irony.
Anyway, seriously, explain to me why it is necessary to live in Timbuctoo in order to pass comment. One day I may reveal where my parents were born, where they lived before I was born, where I was born, where I grew up and where I currently live. I suppose that as my forename is not Hedley, Winter or Snowdon some readers might be excused for wondering if I am of odd stock or perhaps intellectually challenged.
The main thing is that I concern myself with Jersey happenings even though I do not live there.
” Why are cycle helmets not complulsory in England? Why are the good doctors there not preaching to their own?”
Probably because it is less of an issue there as most cyclists wear them anyway. I know that this is so becuase a man in the pub knows someone who’s sister’s uncle’s milkman’s grandson works in a cycle shop in Dorset and they sell just over three cycle helmets every week (bank holidays not included)
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Mr Le Verdic, if you check your original post you will see that “staunch Jerseyman” is not in parentheses as you subsequently state.
I think you making this up as you go along.
Rules of engagement necessitate keeping one’s nose out of other people’s affairs…………..That is the problem with the world wide web, it assists meddlers and cross-boundary do gooders!!
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It should be compulsory for horse riders to wear helmets. And tractor drivers.
Car drivers should be made to fit a three point roll cage to their cars with full harness and crash helmet.
Pedestrians should wear a rubber suit.
Snow should be banned because it is dangerous.
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Famous five,
I really don’t give a hoot about road safety in Egypt, France, Germany or Spain. So that rather rules me out as an international do gooder.
However, as I cycle in Jersey and on the mainland I have an interest in this debate. I am actually more interested in the debate per se than coming down heavily on one side or other. At no point on any of these threads have I advocated compulsory helmets. Have I?
I normally wear a helmet when cycling other than on beaches but am now mindful that in certain situations it could cause injury. Thank you to those who have pointed this out.
My evidence, Big Saddle, is based on observing almost every cyclist I see on the mainland wearing a helmet. In fact I see more little scrotes riding illegal motorbikes without helmets than cyclists without. Whether this is down to safety or fashion, in either case, is another matter.
It is fair to say that if Dr Andy Eynon has first hand experience – in England – of what has happened to some Jersey cyclists, then his comments are relevant to this debate. Thankyou, over and out. C.
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NO NO NO……. no more rules! no more Nanny state! no more restrictions on our freedom!
I have cycled locally for over forty years without the slightest hint of a head injury. What they are trying say is that because some motorists are reckless and drive without regard for other road users , the cyclist should cough up and pay for a helmet . Surely its the motorist who should reduce their speed and money spent in policing that area…?
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On this basis and as recommended on TV lets also ban butter as this food costs the taxpayer thousands in health care for those who overindulge and end up with heart condidtions. However and as stated earlier we are supposed to live in a free state not a nanny state and if we want to we will! Or at least we used to be allowed too!!
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I think you’re all being very naive and silly.
I cycled to work all last year with no helmet.
I watched as a few idiots cycled to work in the snow/ice with no helmets, woke up, smelt the coffee and realised how idiotic I was being by not wearing a helmet everyday. I have now stopped cycling until I can afford to purchase a helmet.
It makes sense. I don’t want my brains spilt all over the floor. It’s not yourself you have to be concerned about, it’s one of these stupid drivers we have around nowadays who don’t appreciate the fact you’re on a bike.
Everyone should be wearing a helmet. Full stop.
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#20. CMC……..? silly and Naive..? surely its you who doesnt get the point , its the motorist who is the problem not the cyclist. Therefore leave us alone and deal with the problem.
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Deputy Green suffered a terrible personal tragedy and would like others to avoid the pain taht he ahs had to endure since his son’s accident. His own motives for proposing the legislation are transparent and clearly well intentioned.
The civil liberties aside, surely it is sensible to wear the right equipment for the job. You wouldn’t see a Tour de France rider without his helmet, ditto Britain’s Olympic hopefuls. Victoria Pendleton and Shanaze Reade seem more concerned with preserving the integrity of their skulls than their hairstyles. Everyone who is serious about cycling appears to be equally serious about wearing a helmet.
That said, I am personally not in favour of legislation because (a) it is unenforceable and (b) it exaggerates the dangers of cycling and will therefore put people off. Children however should NEVER be allowed on a bicycle without a helmet. Parents must also bear in mind that they are role models for their children.
This issue is NOT a question of economics or the ‘cost to society’ but of avoiding an entirely preventable tragedy. I hope the law doesn’t change, but I predict that more cyclists will choose to wear helmets simply because of this debate, in which case Deputy Green’s efforts will not have been in vain.
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Yes, Mr Le Verdic. Over and out thank goodness.
Surely cycling should be generally encouraged and why not promote cycle helmets and educate people as their benefits and drawbacks so that an informed choice might be made?
The problem with making it compulsory to wear these helmets is that it will discourage cyclists [particularly those who do so on a casual or occasional basis] and it will breed resentment. How would such a law be enforced?
I think that the Deputy should review his stance. Apart from anything else, emotive personal experience is rarely a good platform from which to take up a supposedly objective stance on behalf of the public of this island.
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No mater what is said here I will not wear a cycling helmet!
They are most importantly “not fit for purpose” and secondly make the wearer look like an anorak.
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What a load of tosh!!
Maybe we should start banning stupidity.
Some cyclists don’t even use lights in the dark let alone wear crash helmets!
In all my years of cycling I have never worn a helmet and never needed one because I take care on the road…just like I do whilst driving a car.
Perhaps we need more traffic police instead to reprimand the road users who do not take as much care and consideration as they ought to. These are the ones that need to be punished, not those who treat the road and it’s users with the respect it deserves.
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This debate has truly been food for thought.
I cycle for pleasure along cycle paths and country roads…but I don’t wear a helmet. I also ride a horse and yet, wear a cap (equestrian helmet) at all times, even when I’m just near the horse. And, when I think about it, the dangers are very similar, so my next purchase will be a cycling helmet (a good one!), it makes sense…at least it does to me!
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CMC
Get a grip!
Some cyclists, like some drivers (and even some pedestrians) are dangerous. You cannot tar everyone with the same brush!
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A lot of people who ride these motor bicycles in other parts of the world do not wear a crash hat. Indeed, I believe that many of these countrymen would regard such garb as a ludicrous affront.
So far as a pedal cycle might fall for consideration, it is difficult to reconcile the relative lack of speed with the need to wear a crash hat. If a comparator be drawn with the mentioned parts of the world which do not deem it necessary to wear a hat on a motor bicycle, then it will be clear that the upper quartile of risk indicates that a crash hat is not necessary on a pedal bicycle.
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PJG
Though you might look like an anorak in a cycle helmet, you will look like a train spotter if you have an accident and suffer head injuries whilst not wearing one.
You can live out your days in long term care, staring vacantly into space, sucking your food through a straw whilst a bib catches the dribbles from your slack mouth.
Use your brain whilst you still have one and wear a helmet.
By the way did you know that cycle seats cause erectile dysfunction?
Still at least the non cycle helmet wearing gene pool will stop with your demise into a persistent vegetative state.
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@ Kareneliot #22
I agree with your 3rd paragraph, but would add that any parent needs to properly fit their childs helmet, as a badly fitted helmet can do more harm than no helmet.
However;
“…You wouldn’t see a Tour de France rider without his helmet, ditto Britain’s Olympic hopefuls. Victoria Pendleton and Shanaze Reade seem more concerned with preserving the integrity of their skulls than their hairstyles…”
bear in mind that competitive cyclists must wear helmets to be allowed to compete, this is not their choice. The pros also know that a helmet is another place they can sell sponsorship, and pros and Olympians alike know that a helmet offers an aerodynamic advantage in high level competition. Watch Pendleton, and the first thing she does after a race is take off her helmet, and recreationally you’ll see photos of her cycling without a helmet; she doesn’t choose to wear a helmet, so to use these examples as role models is, I think, wrong.
It’s common sense to protect yourself, but trying to legislate something like this is nonsense.
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Boris #29
If you cant adjust your seat so it is comfortable and non eunuch producing, I suggest you sit on your helmet, It might even still be protecting your brain ?
When I am riding my bike I do everything to AVOID an incident that will cause me or someone else harm. I give clear signals of my intentions to turn, stop etc. I use my lights in darker hours, I do not overtake “traffic congested” cars on the inside for fear of the driver not seeing me or the passenger opening the door. I do not ride head down arse up furiously pedalling. I make sure I am aware of my surroundings and if the circumstances dictate I even dismount.
To protect my grey matter I avoid situations where its compromised.
When helmets were made compulsory for motor cyclists in California there was an increase in collisions, later proved due to the riders feeling less vulnerable to injury and riding with less care.
If you want to dress up like a nerd and ride hell for leather into danger on the suspect hope that a piece of polystyrene will stop you becoming a vegetable go ahead. Its your choice and I shall fight for you to be able to make it. Please allow me my choice of, to carry on avoiding collisions..
Remember there is no such thing as an accident.
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Le Verdic what is your point? You wear a helmet, leave it at that i.e. don’t impose your dogmatic views on the rest of the population of this fast becoming nanny state! I was a competitative cyclist for over 10 years i.e. not on closed roads and at times exceeding 50mph on closed circuits. Not once in those years through all the crashes which in a pack occur did I encounter a ‘serious’ head injury. The politician who is causing all this fuss has suffered a personal tragedy but it doesn’t mean we all have to change our habits. I think you should sit down with the politicians who were considering the new Body Scanners at the airport as Jersey is such a terrorist threat!? oh! that’s as likely as serious cycling head injuries!!!
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Got myself a high-quality helmet!
I bought it yesterday and paraded around in it until I generated enough comments to satisfy my ego, comments such as:
- “you’re far too style-conscious”;
- “it doesn’t even make you look geeky”;
- “OH! you really look something in that” (no mention as to what the ‘something’ was).
So now that I’m sure it’s acceptable to my ‘critics’, I’ve every intention of wearing it! However, it was rather expensive. Therefore, if parents are forced (by law) to buy their children good-quality helmets, it could be a problem for some families.
So, why don’t the ‘safety campaigners’ get local companies to sponsor helmets and distribute them (in school) free-of-charge to all children with bikes.
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33 Born Warrior
Do kids know what bikes are these days?
Judging by the traffic in the mornings none of them cycle to school anymore anyway so what is the point?
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Fair enough FR &co, I’m the last person who wants to wear a helmet… mainly cos I don’t suit hats and look like a wally. But u gotta admit some drivers are scary! I have been left shaking through incidents on the road in the past year more than once.
I’m just worried for myself. I don’t actually think they should make it compulsory, I just meant I think I personally will feel safer with a helmet on, so I’m not riding anymore til I get one.
Knowing my luck if I did ride again without, that’d be the time something happened and I’d wish I had… I don’t wana be a statistic..
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If a child has an accident and is not wearing a helmet the parents will no longer get support but will instead be arrested, locked in a police cell and heavily fined whilst those we used to consider criminals will be allowed to get away as the police do not have the resources to enforce old fashioned laws.
Most parents do insist their kids wear a helmet but unfortunately many remove this as soon as they are out of sight.
A person who breaks the law is a criminal – such legislation just cheapens the criminal system, creating more criminals and all the ensuing social problems.
If you or your child has an accident it is your fault. I get the feeling that this is just an excuse to blame society for ones own failings.
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Boris at 29 said the following:
“By the way did you know that cycle seats cause erectile dysfunction?”.
This is only partly true. Certain cycle seats can cause impact upon the nerves which serve the sexual function. This is potentially an important point, although it is noted that it was raised by the commentator to poke fun at another commentator by way of a personal comment of a particularly unpleasant nature.
It is understood that cyclists who spend a lot of time in the saddle might be at risk of developing problmes. Most serious cyclists will be aware of this, but I would nonetheless suggest that any cyclist does some “google” research on the matter.
As for the compulsory wearing of helmets, perhaps this is best left to individual choice. We don’t want to alienate the cycling community and, touch wood, there doesn’t seem to have been too many problems to date so why cause problems where none exist?
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I would like the freedom to wear a helmet or not wear a helmet. If I am riding down Queen’s Road I will wear a helmet. If I am taking a leisurely cycle along the front – then no I won’t.
Research in other countries shows a number of unintended consequences of compulsory helmets. Firstly, cyclists may perceive themselves to be safer and decide to cycle faster – with some ending up with serious injuries e.g neck.
Secondly, some people may decide not to cycle anymore and therefore the reduction in exercise could have consequent effect on their health.
Someone wrote that all children should wear helmets. I would argue that the only way to police that would be a blanket law for all citizens. Imagine a police officer chasing a cyclist trying to figure out if they are a child or an adult.
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“Imagine a police officer chasing a cyclist trying to figure out if they are a child or an adult.”
Worry about that if it ever happens.
For a start there won’t be police around to notice (even though there will be loads of “concerned residents”, eager to grass).
Secondly, if a chase endangers the safety of the child an order will be sent by secure Tetra from a senior officer to break off the pursuit!
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#37
“It is understood that cyclists who spend a lot of time in the saddle might be at risk of developing problmes.”
I am not convinced that it is a good idea to put so much weight on the prostate region! Thin saddles especially!
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Born Warrior #33
I have never had the opportunity to ask these questions of an “actual owner” of such an item.They always look like the people my mummy told me to avoid.
Did you read the small print that came with your helmet?
Do you intend to keep it out of direct sunlight!
If you drop it, will you throw it away as it may be damaged.
will you write or put stickers on it,even though it may damage it beyond safe use.
Have you read the instructions on how to wear it ? worn incorrectly its useless. ( you will need to carry a mirror to keep check on this).
Was it in date?
Do you know where the expiry date is ?
Don’t forget to carry the box with you so you can store it correctly (as per manufacturers instructions )at your destination.
When it time expire and become overnight no longer able to do its job, will you replace it?
How often do you think you will need to replace this high fashion article ?
And finally, be honest here, does it make you look like an anorak ?
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Im sorry but why discourage cyclists, if anything they should be encouraged, it should be a personal decision, if a cyclists wants to not wear a helmet then it should be their decision, and if your argument is that it costs to much for the health service then maybe you should look at how much money is wasted on other areas, i have to raise my opinions about the massively over funded police service, a service which is valuable to the community, but im a teenager with dreadlocks and so are a lot of my friends, and they spend most of their time running after us, because they have too much time on their hands.
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Mr Bougourd is quite right about saddles and the pressure upon the nether regions. This point is certainly worth looking into for anybody that cycles a lot. I understand that both sexes can be affected by the constant friction which can arise.
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PJG 41.
Not read the instructions yet but will do ASAP (and I’ll let you know).
However, I read the bit that said: ‘Medical research shows that helmets can prevent 85% of cyclists’ head injuries’…so, as far as I’m concerned, it’s an investment.
As for the ‘fashion’ side of things, weeeeell, I might go for a brighter colour next time…but I’ll wait for a new-generation product first, as I tend to chase technology rather than fashion.
Oh, by the way, I’m good-looking, so I could NEVER EVER look like an ANORAK!
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I agree with Dr Eynon, follow this man’s advice and wear a cycle helmet. I heard Deouty Andrew Green speak on the radio the other day about the impact on a family when someone close to them sustains a head injury. I would suggest that anyone who isn’t sure about which way to vote, should speak to the knowledgable people at Headway who I’m sure would be only too keen to pass on their experiences.
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44 Born warrior
“‘Medical research shows that helmets can prevent 85% of cyclists’ head injuries’”
But all that means is that 15% of the time it doesn’t !!
Are you happy with that spin??
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Headway is an august body. It also has an agenda regarding the prevention of head injuries. Its opinion on the matter will be entirely predictable.
If that opinion is heard, regard should also be paid to converse opinions from authorities concerned with neuro skeltal injuries and those which have studied the beneficial health effects of cycling and the concomitant effect of imposing something upon cyclists which will doubtless deter many riders and thereby obviate those health benefits.
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Born Warrior 44
Cycle helmet manufacturers only claim to reduce brain injury, vis a vis no helmet. They do not produce stats or like to talk about the increase in incident other injury or frequency.
To protect your good looks you will need a full face motorcycle helmet.
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BS Deluxe 46.
I’m happy with anything that gives me a higher survival rate in an accident. I’m an outdoor person, I love walking, cycling, trekking, and skiing, all pastimes with risks…but the risk-rate drops when due care is taken!
PJG 48.
The speed you are riding at is the speed you hit the ground!
I’m sure if you were forced to jump from the third floor of a building, you’d feel a lot happier if you were wearing a helmet, now wouldn’t you?
Of course you would, because ‘Man’ has an innate fear of heights, but for some reason ignores the dangers of speed. So even though you have a million excuses for not wearing a helmet, my safety is reason enough for all those arguments to do a vanishing trick.
P.S. I worry more about my brain than my face, but thanks for the suggestion, I’ll keep it in mind.
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During the rush hour too many people drive their cars without consideration for cyclists or motorcyclists – overtaking when there isn’t sufficient room, pulling out of juntions without looking properly, and overtaking on completely blind bends.
I have been knocked off my bicycle a few times over the years, always during the rush hour and always by cars drivers who are driving badly.
I choose to wear a bike helmet during the rush hour, but often choose not to wear one outside of that hour. If I’m cycling down to the beach for a swim at 11.30 on a Monday morning (shift work has its advantages!) I won’t wear a helmet, because the idiots-in-a-hurry are off the roads by then.
Perhaps when I go for my swim in the sea I should wear a lifejacket, an immersion suit and carry distress smoke signals. Do you know how many people drown every year globally?
A bike helmets isn’t going to stop a car driving over both of your arms, or an HGV driving over your abdomen. Cycling has its risks, just like swimming, walking to the shop or chopping an onion.
I appreciate the choice of how to assess that risk, and to decide my own protection.
If the government are genuinely concerned about the community’s welfare , the first thing they should do is ban smoking.
But that’s another topic..
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PJG at 48, you may be interested to know that I wear a full face helmet all the time, even as a pedestrian.
It is the only way to ensure complete safety and anonymity.
Seriously, though, you have hit the nail on the, er, head. The only way to be completely safe is to wear a full face helmet. While you are at it, you might as well also wear heavy boots, shin guards and full leathers as well.
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# 17
“It is fair to say that if Dr Andy Eynon has first hand experience – in England – of what has happened to some Jersey cyclists, then his comments are relevant to this debate. Thankyou, over and out. C. ”
Read his letter carefully and you will see that Dr. Eynon makes no claims whatsoever about the usefulness of cycle helmets that are based on evidence or his own experinece. Which is why his letter is so bizarre.
#20
“Everyone should be wearing a helmet. Full stop. ”
please go to cyclehelmets.org before spending your money. You will end up wiser.
# 16
It should be compulsory for horse riders to wear helmets. And tractor drivers.
Car drivers should be made to fit a three point roll cage to their cars with full harness and crash helmet.
Pedestrians should wear a rubber suit.
Snow should be banned because it is dangerous. ”
We should be aiming for road safety, for all users.
#22
“That said, I am personally not in favour of legislation because (a) it is unenforceable and (b) it exaggerates the dangers of cycling and will therefore put people off. Children however should NEVER be allowed on a bicycle without a helmet. ”
I agree with the first half. it is true. When cycle helmets are made compulsory, then you get fewer cyclists, What is not so widely known is you then get a higher risk of accident for the cyclists that remain.
Second half re making children wear them – well-intentioned comment – but see above website.
It is strange how many of the road safety establishment figures have taken up this cause – “everyone must wear a helmet”, without looking carefully at the evidence.
Maybe it is easier to “do something” than to tackle real issues like driver behaviour, real cycle training, road layouts, bike awareness, etc.
#26
“And, when I think about it, the dangers are very similar, so my next purchase will be a cycling helmet (a good one!), ”
a) look carefully at which standards it complies with – they vary widely,
b) consider a non-peaked one, looking rather like a horsey style one.
c) try cyclehelmets.org and research there.
#29
“Use your brain whilst you still have one and wear a helmet. ”
see comment above re #20
#31
exactly. health and safety dictum. First prevent accidents from happening. Second reduce the damage caused by the remaining accidents. In that order.
Policy-makers must also do them in that order. The first requires a sober look at why accidents happen and then taking effective action, as was done with drink-driving. The second needs a close look at how to reduce the damage. The benefits of cycle helmets in this regard are grossly overstated, the balance may even be the other way.
#33
“So, why don’t the ’safety campaigners’ get local companies to sponsor helmets and distribute them (in school) free-of-charge to all children with bikes. ”
Again you are assuming that helmets are a good thing, both overall, for the whole population, and for the individual. The first is definitely not true, the second is quite likley untrue as well. See cyclehelmets.org (again!!)
#44
“However, I read the bit that said: ‘Medical research shows that helmets can prevent 85% of cyclists’ head injuries’…so, as far as I’m concerned, it’s an investment.”
Sorry mate that is very nearly a lie. see the website I keep referring to. The reason I do keep referring to it, is that ALL the research is there, on both sides, with intelligent, debunking, commentary. So if you really want to find out, do go there.
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