The Channel Islands politicians insist compulsory bike helmet use for under 14s will improve public health. But the evidence does not seem to be on their side
For UK cyclists the issue of compulsory helmet use has been until now, to use the phrase, a quarrel in a faraway land, with the main proponents being Australia, New Zealand and parts of Canada and the US. But now it has arrived on our shores.
Earlier this month all children aged under 14 on the Channel Island of Jersey who ride a bike without a helmet risk a £50 fine for their parents. The law has been progressing for a long time, first mooted in 2010 covering all cyclists.
The aim of the legislation is that if you can get children into the habit of wearing a helmet younger, that should say with them.
I wouldnt say were confident. Were going to have to look at the numbers and see.
Those figures [about helmet compulsion hampering cyclist numbers] dont stack up, and Im even more confident when were talking about children. I can only talk from Jersey experience, but I believe children participating in cycling will increase after the law, based on the number of phone calls Ive had from parents saying, I want little Johnny to wear a helmet. He wont wear it because his friends wont wear one. Therefore I wont let him have a bike.
Frankly, I dont think you can put that at the door of cycle helmets. Thats happening anyway. I think Jersey has a higher rate of activity participation. Its not going to put people off. Its only for children. The evidence I see is that more children will cycle, based on what parents are saying.
I dont really care about the macho twits who duck in and out of city traffic wearing headphones but no helmet, without a thought for the mothers and girlfriends who will pick up their pieces.
I dont really care about the lazy twits who duck in and out of fast food restaurants eating burgers but taking no exercise, without a thought for the wives and children who will pick up their pieces of their diabetes or stroke or heart attack.
If you just save one life, or save one life from being blighted, its worth it.
There is an argument for improving infrastructure for cyclists generally, but its not cheap and it doesnt happen quickly, particularly on old roads where theres not a lot of room to provide segregation. That doesnt mean we shouldnt give up pushing.
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