Liberal Democrat MP calls for change in cycle helmet law

Annette Brooke who is MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has said that she wants a review of the current law on cycle helmets.

Mrs Brooke has campaigned for the law to be changed so it is compulsory for children to wear helmets while cycling. She is now planning to present a bill to parliament urging a review of safety evidence.

The Liberal Democrat MP, is wanting a thorough review of the evidence on the impact helmets have on cycling safety. Mrs Brooke wants helmets to be compulsory for all children aged under 14. She is determined to have the law changed quickly as it is likely that a lot more children could take up cycling as a result of the British team’s success.

Mrs Brooke said: “It’s fantastic the increase in cycling, but what I’m concerned about, particularly, is the children.

“I’m proposing that we should investigate a law which would actually make it compulsory for under 14-year-olds [to wear helmets].

“There’s a huge number of accidents involving children and cyclists – nearly 6,000 a year – with serious injuries.

“Given that there is a lot of opposition to my proposals, I’m going to now move on to present a bill to call for the government to review the evidence.”

The proposal is supported by many including the British Medical Association, Royal College of Nursing and the road safety charity Brake.

Following his triumph in winning a gold medal in the Olympics cycling superstar Bradley Wiggins also urged a change in the law to prevent cycling fatalities.

This entry was posted on Wednesday 15th August, 2012. Edit this entry.