M
Mark T
Guest
Signed a petition, got this response:
<www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page15021.asp>
No-cycle-helmets - epetition reply
14 March 2008
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to oppose the
introduction of any mandatory helmet laws for pedal cyclists."
Details of Petition:
"There is no unequivocal medical evidence to show that helmet wearing
helmet protects cyclists. In fact cyclists wearing helmets are more
likely to be involved in a collision with a motorist as motorists assume
such a cyclist is more competent and therefore take additional risks when
driving near one. Further, every country in which this law has been
introduced, levels of cycling have plummeted - thereby negating any
perceived 'benefits'."
Read the petition
Petitions home page
Read the Government's response
The Government does not have any plans to introduce mandatory helmet laws
for pedal cyclists. However, we believe that it is sensible for cyclists,
and especially children, to protect themselves by wearing a cycle helmet.
A review commissioned by the Department for Transport (Road Safety
Research Report No. 30, 2002) concluded that overall there is evidence
that bicycle helmets can be effective at reducing the incidence and
severity of head, brain and upper facial injuries and that they can be
effective in reducing injury for users of all ages, though particularly
for children.
The report also found that compulsory helmet wearing may have discouraged
some people from cycling, leading to decreased bicycle use. In
particular, it found that in the state of Victoria, Australia,
immediately following the introduction of helmet legislation, cycling
levels fell amongst children and particularly amongst teenagers, though
cycling levels amongst adults increased marginally. In Western Australia,
participation in cycling remained steady for most groups, but fell for
primary school children and recreational cyclists. In South Australia
there was a significant reduction in children cycling. In Ontario,
Canada, there was no effect on cycling rates.
The DfT is planning to commission a new research project on cyclists'
road safety soon. This will include an updated review of cycle helmet
effectiveness. The research project as a whole is likely to be 3 years in
duration, but an interim report on cycle helmets should be published by
summer 2009.
The DfT measures wearing rates periodically, most recently in 2006. The
2006 wearing rate survey shows that cycle helmet rates have gone up from
28% in 2004 to 31% on major built up roads and from 10% to 14% on minor
roads. The wearing rate for children on major roads increased from 14% to
18% and on minor roads from 6% to 9%. Whilst compulsion remains an option
that will be reviewed from time to time, at these levels making helmets
compulsory would cause enforcement difficulties and without greater
public acceptance could have an effect on levels of cycling.
However, the Government believes it would be irresponsible not to promote
a product that can reduce injuries and continues to promote helmet
wearing on a voluntary basis, especially by children.
<www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page15021.asp>
No-cycle-helmets - epetition reply
14 March 2008
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to oppose the
introduction of any mandatory helmet laws for pedal cyclists."
Details of Petition:
"There is no unequivocal medical evidence to show that helmet wearing
helmet protects cyclists. In fact cyclists wearing helmets are more
likely to be involved in a collision with a motorist as motorists assume
such a cyclist is more competent and therefore take additional risks when
driving near one. Further, every country in which this law has been
introduced, levels of cycling have plummeted - thereby negating any
perceived 'benefits'."
Read the petition
Petitions home page
Read the Government's response
The Government does not have any plans to introduce mandatory helmet laws
for pedal cyclists. However, we believe that it is sensible for cyclists,
and especially children, to protect themselves by wearing a cycle helmet.
A review commissioned by the Department for Transport (Road Safety
Research Report No. 30, 2002) concluded that overall there is evidence
that bicycle helmets can be effective at reducing the incidence and
severity of head, brain and upper facial injuries and that they can be
effective in reducing injury for users of all ages, though particularly
for children.
The report also found that compulsory helmet wearing may have discouraged
some people from cycling, leading to decreased bicycle use. In
particular, it found that in the state of Victoria, Australia,
immediately following the introduction of helmet legislation, cycling
levels fell amongst children and particularly amongst teenagers, though
cycling levels amongst adults increased marginally. In Western Australia,
participation in cycling remained steady for most groups, but fell for
primary school children and recreational cyclists. In South Australia
there was a significant reduction in children cycling. In Ontario,
Canada, there was no effect on cycling rates.
The DfT is planning to commission a new research project on cyclists'
road safety soon. This will include an updated review of cycle helmet
effectiveness. The research project as a whole is likely to be 3 years in
duration, but an interim report on cycle helmets should be published by
summer 2009.
The DfT measures wearing rates periodically, most recently in 2006. The
2006 wearing rate survey shows that cycle helmet rates have gone up from
28% in 2004 to 31% on major built up roads and from 10% to 14% on minor
roads. The wearing rate for children on major roads increased from 14% to
18% and on minor roads from 6% to 9%. Whilst compulsion remains an option
that will be reviewed from time to time, at these levels making helmets
compulsory would cause enforcement difficulties and without greater
public acceptance could have an effect on levels of cycling.
However, the Government believes it would be irresponsible not to promote
a product that can reduce injuries and continues to promote helmet
wearing on a voluntary basis, especially by children.
