Opinions differ over compulsory cycle helmet wearing

Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of the public would support a law making it compulsory to wear cycle helmets, according to a national survey that was conducted to coincide with the second reading of a Parliamentary Bill making it compulsory for children to wear cycle helmets.

The Private Member’s Bill was tabled by Labour MP, Eric Martlew and received its second reading on 23 April. The survey of 9256 members of the public was conducted by the website, Myvoice.co.uk, according to the road safety charity Brake.

Research by the Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health shows that 50 children’s lives could be saved each year if the law was changed to make wearing cycle helmets compulsory. In addition, the number of upper head injuries could be reduced by 85 per cent, brain injuries reduced by 88 per cent and facial injuries reduced by 65 per cent. National health bodies supporting the bill include the Royal College of Surgeons, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Nursing and the Society of British Neurological Surgeons.

"Head or face injury is one of the most common reasons for a child to be brought to A&E, and injury is the biggest cause of death in children," says Tim Coats, professor of emergency medicine at Leicester Royal Infirmary. "Compulsory use of cycle helmets would significantly reduce the number of children killed or severely injured each year."

The British Dental Association and Faculty of Dental Practices also support the bill as a result of the serious facial injuries caused by cycling crashes.

However, The National Cycling Strategy and the national cycling organisation, CTC, oppose making helmets compulsory as they argue that requiring people to wear cycle helmets will deter them from cycling. They claim that the health benefits of cycling are greater than the casualty risk.

The road safety charity Brake is disappointed that some cycling lobby groups are against this measure. "We must challenge the idea that cycle helmets are a deterrent to bicycle use," says Mary Williams, Brake’s chief executive. "They are a responsible, practical and easily implementable way of protecting children’s lives.

"If children are taught from an early age that wearing a helmet is the law and recognise it protects them against death or serious injury, then arguments against helmet use will disappear. As these children grow up they will become adults who have no problem wearing a helmet."