Cycling UK Forum

I've emailed John Byrne. Might be worth a few more of us doing it, just so he knows that most people who ride bikes do not support his crackpot views... john.byrne@bolton.gov.uk

Urgh, just seen this on twitter. Bolton council have backed a motion from keen 'cyclist' and Breightmet councillor John Byrne to ask the UK government to bring in new laws ' to make it a legal requirement to wear helmets at all times when riding a bike.' He laughably cites Australia and New Zealand as an example. What a helmet! to make it a legal requirement to wear helmets at all times when riding a bike. Hope the gov ignores him... http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/ ... ompulsory/

Just seen a big puff piece bigging up the 'benefits' of cycle helmets on BBC News, disguised as a story about Jersey's law coming into effect. We really need to challenge this media bias, as otherwise, we may all be looking at compulsory plastic hats for adult cyclists nationwide soon. Makes me so effing angry. Why can't we EVER learn from others' mistakes?

byegad wrote:I'm joining in because I'm getting a bit fed up with threads that include the statement 'I fell/got knocked off my bike and smacked my helmet in to the ground. Thank goodness I was wearing it.'

The writers, no doubt believe the helmet saved them from injury.
But maybe, just maybe, they should consider an other possibility.

This a thousand times, I have NEVER hit my head when falling from my bike and have NEVER worn a helmet. Are the two connected? I believe so, the simple laws of physics (which seem to be beyond the understanding of helmet enthusiasts) means that you are far MORE likely to hit your head when wearing an object that makes your head 1) bigger and 2) heavier.

London Councils' new political advisor Councillor Mehboob Kahn has stated on Twitter that he is going to 'lobby for compulsory cycle helmets'. Seems unwilling to listen or engage with counter arguments. His Twitter is @cllrMehboobKhan

After years of talking about it, the UK's favourite tax haven Jersey has finally passed a law mandating cycle helmets for under-14s on bikes. In other news, 1 in 3 kids in Jersey are now overweight.

Agreed. My fear is that the research itself will be biased and the conclusions used to justify a bill to force helmets on children. If that were to happen, we know exactly what the next logical step would be...

Annette Brook's proposed compulsory cycle helmets bills for under-14s is having a second debate in parliament on Friday 12 September. We need to fight this all the way as if it is successful, it will only be a matter of time before plastic hats are forced on everyone who rides a bike in the UK.
Here's the link: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/? ... 8.4#g678.5

Helmets should not be compulsory for anyone imho. I was riding 'high speed' bikes from the age of 7 without ever wearing a helmet. Oh what a dangerous childhood I must have had lol
Also, just because a bike is capable of going at a high speed, doesn't mean that it will be used at that speed!

Ha love the spelling of 'compulsary' - why are the people who post pro-helmet guff and anti-cyclist drivel generally so incapable of writing coherently!

Hi, there is currently an epetition to make helmets compulsory that is attracting a fair amount of signatories. It may be wise if we pushed the numbers up on this petition to keep helmets optional, as it currently only has 141

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/54357

Hi, don't know if anyone has seen this yet, but the BMA have released a new report on active transport, published 12 June 2012. Most of the content is sensible, although sadly the 'h' word is mentioned on p44 and they then come out and reveal their support for compulsory helmet legislation in the UK. We need to monitor this, as there was a big media launch and of course it brings the idea of compulsory helmet laws to the fore again. Shame really, as there is lots of other good stuff in there

Please sign the petition against the WI's misguided and ignorant call for compulsory helmet laws:
http://www.change.org/petitions/to-reje ... elmet-laws

Cyclists need safer roads not plastic hats!

Please sign the petition against the WI's ill informed call for compulsory cycle helmet laws. What cyclists need is safer roads not plastic hats:

http://www.change.org/petitions/to-reje ... elmet-laws

Hi on 14 July the uk parliament had it's first reading for a new private members bill to force under 18s to wear cycle helmets. The second reading is on 4 November. We need to monitor this development carefully as if successful you can bet compulsory plastic hats for uk adults will be next. What is the ctc doing to challenge this? The bills sponsor is Annette Brooke
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/201 ... nbill.html