I thought I would quickly share my thoughts on this issue, following today's news stories, as it is one that I have healthily (and unhealthily) debated over the course of my Road Safety career so far.
Looking at this purely from a Road Safety perspective I would suggest compuslory helmet wearing as a very good idea, in the same way seatbelt and motorcycle helmets laws were. However, looking at the overall picture from a health and wellbeing perspective it is less clear cut, both financially and in terms of personal health/safety.
Thankfully, the chances of being involved in a serious accident are pretty rare, while the chances of developing serious health issues as a result of inactivity are more common, and they also cost the NHS a huge amount of money. Promotion of cycling as an easy way to get more active, reduce congestion and reduce CO2 emissions is a high priority nationally and a lot of people would see compulsory helmet wearing as a barrier to this.
There are also many other ways cyclists can prevent themselves from becoming involved in accidents in the first place, e.g. training, using lights, good positioning and making sure they are visible, but so often people only focus on wearing a helmet or not.
Most of the hostility to helmet wearing stems purely from the viewpoint of 'I just don't want to wear one!' so I think it is very good that Bradley Wiggins, as a very influential figure, has promoted wearing a helmet, not listening to music and using lights whilst cycling as I'm sure it will help influence others, particularly children, to do so of their own free will.
Maybe he should bring out his own brand of helmets, if they become as popular as the sideburns we'd be on to a winner!
Thankfully, the chances of being involved in a serious accident are pretty rare, while the chances of developing serious health issues as a result of inactivity are more common, and they also cost the NHS a huge amount of money. Promotion of cycling as an easy way to get more active, reduce congestion and reduce CO2 emissions is a high priority nationally and a lot of people would see compulsory helmet wearing as a barrier to this.
There are also many other ways cyclists can prevent themselves from becoming involved in accidents in the first place, e.g. training, using lights, good positioning and making sure they are visible, but so often people only focus on wearing a helmet or not.
Most of the hostility to helmet wearing stems purely from the viewpoint of 'I just don't want to wear one!' so I think it is very good that Bradley Wiggins, as a very influential figure, has promoted wearing a helmet, not listening to music and using lights whilst cycling as I'm sure it will help influence others, particularly children, to do so of their own free will.
Maybe he should bring out his own brand of helmets, if they become as popular as the sideburns we'd be on to a winner!
I must point out that Wiggins has set the record straight regarding his comments, saying on Twitter "Just to confirm I haven't called for helmets to be made the law as reports suggest".
ReplyDeleteHaving watched his press conference I think his comments have been taken a little out of context by the British media. He definitely highlights the importance of respect between all road users and suggests that cyclists need to do all they can to protect themselves and if there was a law then cyclists would be able to say "I've done all I can".
Still think he should bring out his own brand of helmets and help with their promotion.