Leader - Knee-jerk reaction is not answer
Not only does it transpire that Bradley Wiggins is a superhuman cycling god and all-time British Olympic great, it turns out that he is a champion of the Tufty Club which, older readers will remember well, promoted road safety among children.
Not only does it transpire that Bradley Wiggins is a superhuman cycling god and all-time British Olympic great, it turns out that he is a champion of the Tufty Club which, older readers will remember well, promoted road safety among children.
Last night an official Olympic bus carrying journalists was in a collision with a bicycle in London. The cyclist, an adult, was killed.
Asked about the incident, Olympics hero Wiggins reflected that he was knocked off his bicycle several times as a child on London streets.
And, in a comment which is stimulating much debate, he said he would like to see wearing helmets made compulsory for cyclists and for them to stop riding about with earpieces blaring out music which makes them oblivious to everything around them.
This is all good advice and coming from an icon and role model of the stature of Wiggins gives it all the more force.
All cyclists should, for their own safety, heed his advice about wearing helmets and being aware of all that is going on around them on Britain’s mean streets.
However criminalising cyclists for not wearing helmets would represent an onerous extension of the law to catch yet further decent people in a wide-ranging legal net. Many cyclists are children, under the age of criminal responsibility. Presumably the parents would be hauled into court.
And at a time when cycling is being officially encouraged because it is environmentally friendly and promotes health and fitness, a legal assault on cycling can only serve to put people off.
Cycle helmets do not prevent collisions between bicycles and road traffic. Schemes which create dedicated cycle lanes and cycleways make for increased safety.
While the message to wear cycle helmets should be driven home among adults and children alike, one tragedy in front of a party of journalists should not lead to rushed and ill-considered legislation.
Comments for: "Leader - Knee-jerk reaction is not answer "
Colin.Dodd.
What is your problem?
Crash helmets are a legal requirement when riding motorcycles, so why not apply the same law to cyclists?
Some of these modern bikes can achieve quite high speeds. Try dropping a 2kg melon off a bike onto the road at 30mph, that could be your head.
Yes, children under the age of criminal responsibilty should be policed by their parents who must also be held accountable for the actions of their children. If someone lost a child through not wearing a helmet, they would never forgive themselves, so accepting reponsibility is a small price to pay for your childs life.
Once again, ANY cyclist seen on the road wearing headphones should be very heavily fined, and have his bike impounded for a time. I also firmly believe that they should have to take the equivalent of a driving test, as some of them appear to have as much intelligence on the road as a pineapple.
H. St. John Peasbody
A very poor leader. I believe it should be a legal requirement for people to wear a helmet when cycling. Also, wearing earphones/headphones whilst cycling should be outlawed - how can a cyclist hear traffic or concentrate with music being played directly into their ears?
This tragic incident in London last night is not a one-off. Cyclists are killed and seriously injured every day in this country. It is only 18 months since former heavyweight boxer Gary Mason was killed instantly in London when he was knocked off his bike.
Did the Shropshire Star campaign against legislation that made motorcyclists wear helmets or vehicle drivers wear seat belts?
ph7
Gary mason was killed on a country lane, not in London. He was hit by a 4 by 4 whilst cycling into his local village.
H. St. John Peasbody
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12135980
Andy H
What reactionary tosh! Who said anything about rushing in ill considered legislation? Bradley Wiggings is quite sensibly raising a point that he has strong views on. He isn't the Prime Minister or an PM and therefore doesn't have law making capacities.
Back in 1973, there were protests against compulsory use of helmets. As a motorcyclist I'm more than happy to wear one along with good quality riding gear. Having lost a chunk out of the front and back of one helmet in a crash due to deisel on the road, I have first hand experience of how important proper protection is. No motorcyclist I know would throw off their "lid" were the law to be revoked.
I also use a pedal cycle and always wear a helmet when I'm on it. Cycle helmets are inexpensive and I ensure my 4 and 5 yr old boys wear helmets, gloves and pads. Given the number of silly things they get up to on their bikes, I'd be irresponsible not to.
I'd be happy to see cycle helmets being made compulsory. If such a law is enacted, in a few years we'll be wondering what all the fuss was about and asking why we didn't do it sooner.
richard hickman
Helmet law will be unenforceable and be added to the growing list of laws that are not enforced.
Basil Jones
Soft hats for soft heads !!!! It is crazy to ride withought a helmet.
ph7
Regularly cycle, try to keep to cycle lanes but that can be difficult as in Shrewsbury they often disappear just where they are needed e.g. outside Tesco, Ellesmere Road. Paths often covered in sharp gravel or broken glass, overhanging trees and weeds. Road tarmac tends to be rough high rolling resistance surfaces. You have to dodge sunken drain covers and potholes in cycle lanes. Of ten lanes are no wider than a foot causing traffic to pass very close (it's fun when a car wing mirror brushes your arm).
The cyclists must give way to pedestrians signs are a pain in the backside as well. If cyclists have to share space with pedestrians, it should be the pedestrians giving way as they are slower.
Rob Sharrock
This was a well balanced article which has provoked ill thought out reactions. Not wearing cycling helmets does not cause accidents. It is poor road conditions and poor drivers that do that. A helmet would not have saved the life of the rider who died under a bus and a helmet would not have prevented the childhood accidents that Wiggins spoke of. The experience of making helmets compulsory in Australia, New Zealand and parts of the USA has shown that it discourages use of bicycles and contrary to expectation increases the risk of injury. Many cyclists use their bikes for everyday activities such as going shopping or to work and the use of bikes has many benefits including the cyclists own health and to our environment. Cycling should be encouraged and the way to do this is to improve conditions by thinking about cyclists when roads and junctions are designed and by improving the education of both cyclist and drivers who share the same roads.