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BBC claim not wearing a helmet is illegalWhite cycle helmet

BBC claim not wearing a helmet is illegal

CTC invites members to urge BBC for a retraction – you could too
by Martin Thomas
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 14:15
35

The CTC has picked up on an error in a BBC News report about the clampdown on poor road use in the Capital.

The report includes a reference to fines being issued for, among other things "...not wearing a helmet and using a mobile phone."

Transport for London and the Met Police have confirmed to the CTC that the BBC was wrong to claim that wearing a helmet is a legal requirement.

TfL has said it will be contacting the BBC but the CTC has invited its members to help make sure a retraction is broadcast by sharing their views. There’s no reason why road.cc readers shouldn’t do the same…

Chris Peck from the CTC told road.cc, “Leaving to one side for a moment the debate about whether it makes sense to wear a helmet, there’s still a common misconception that it’s illegal not to. There’s a lot of confusion around this issue and we’re constantly trying to educate people so when opportunities like this arise we try to engage our membership and other engaged cyclists to help spread the word.

“Of course it’s a shame that the retractions and corrections are never quite as prominent as the original mistakes…”

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cycle helmets
Compulsory helmet laws
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Martin Thomas

Lifelong lover of most things cycling-related, from Moulton Mini adventures in the 70s to London bike messengering in the 80s, commuting in the 90s, mountain biking in the noughties and road cycling throughout. Editor of Simpson Magazine (www.simpsonmagazine.cc). 

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35 comments

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Barry Fry-up | 14 years ago
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@skippy - presumably you also advocate helmets for pedestrians and DIY enthusiasts, since both those activities are more likely to result in a head injury?

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skippy | 14 years ago
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WHEN will people realise that wearing a helmet will save their life ! Over many years i have broken several "Rudy Project" helmets but when hospitalised was found to have no head damage! Lost skin and damaged clothing can be replaced but "Brain damage" is not only life threatening but permanent.
Those who think a £20 helmet is too expensive should not be riding a bike! THose shops only selling £140 helmets deserve to be BOYCOTTED ! Your choice of helmet but "do not leave home without it" and i am not talking about the Amex card !
Oz is happy to take $A200 from you each time you get caught without a helmet and so it should be in every country! "Brain dead" is not a life worth living but not only your loved ones suffer but the community also has to carry the burden of caring for your "Stupidity/misfortune"!
Tired of seeing helmets strapped to the handlebars because it is too warm! 1/ the penalty s/be doubled ! 2/ Since when has warm weather stopped the head from being damaged in a collision with the pavement!

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Recumbenteer replied to skippy | 14 years ago
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"WHEN will people realise that wearing a helmet will save their life ! Over many years i have broken several "Rudy Project" helmets but when hospitalised was found to have no head damage!..."

AFAIK, the science regarding the safety benefits of bike helmet use is equivocal. FYI different studies suggest a positive benefit, while others don't.

Breaking helmets is no evidence that the helmet saved your life, or protected you from brain injury.

Cycle helmets are only rated for low speed impacts, such as falling off a bike when stationary. [I failed to find a source for this]

Essentially this is a contentious subject and there is currently insufficient evidence either way.
http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=4688

One problem is that helmet safety standards vary. The European standard is inferior to the US CPSC. The Snell 95 standard is I believe the highest.
http://www.bhsi.org/standard.htm

Do I wear a helmet? Yes. But it isn't because I believe it's a panacea.

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David French replied to skippy | 14 years ago
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Those shops only selling £140 helmets?!??!

a) Where are they?
b) Surely if they only sell £140 helmets they are catering for probably very expensive road bikes and so their customers can easily afford a £140 helmet? I'd agree that if they were selling £200 rattlers then ONLY selling expensive helmets would be bad business, but it's not likely is it?

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Ciaran Patrick replied to skippy | 13 years ago
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Yeah right its so hot you can't see where your going. Your head is boiling hot so that really focus and that is in winter. maybe we should give up when it gets to hot or we start to think we can take greater risks because we wear a helmet. The old Volvo syndrome. Helmets can help but they can also hinder. What about the guy that was paralised in a crash where the helmet is given as the cause of the injury. I have a motorbike license and well as a car. if everybody was given proper training and it had to be updated and we were more visible and the roads were made safer for cyclists this would be better. Helmets seem in many peoples thinking to the the only panacea to all cycling injuries. Yes helmets help some people but not all. It is a matter of personal choice. I have never worn a helmet and will most likely never will. I am more aware of the road much more aware than if I wore a helmet. My bike training has helped assess the road, stationary objects and possible dangers around. Its a personal choice.

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