MP proposes compulsory helmets for under 14s

Europeans have " Compulsory Helmet use Laws " for helmets on the Ski slopes for good reason and whether this is a cynical sound bite OP or for good reason remains to be seen !

Another Italian took me off the bike on the GAP - Pinerolo etappe , skinned but not dead thanks to the helmet !

Since nowhere with a helmet law can show any reduction in risk to cyclists, only a reduction in cyclists, why does this MP think that here is different?

The recent TRL report for the DfT came to the conclusion that there was no evidence that helmets provided a safety benefit, just like the other reports which had examined all the evidence. Hasn't Ms Brooke done even the most basic research? Perhaps she's just listened to the single issue pressure groups who couldn't possibly be the slightest bit biased could they?

Why is it always this helmet mantra. It is flouted as the panacea of all accidents and such. I wonder if this MP has ever ridden a bike or even understands the issues. It seriously annoys me these MP's pipe up for a sound bite, just like a short person little head bobbing up and down trying to be noticed in a tall crowd. I reckon putting something sensible forward would rise her out of the crowd much more than this excuse for drivel.

I advocate full body armour from head to toe the more restricting and padded the better, for all ages in every form of transport including, cars, bikes, buses, coaches and pedestrians, in fact compulsory for anyone who ventures out of there house. I have a separate theory for personal in the home but that involves never getting out of bed.

What a waste of Parliamentary time!

I wrote a response to Ms Brooke via her website; I got a reply basically saying "she's not your MP; sod off"

Right, written to my MP & Ms Brooke telling them both it is a stupid idea.

Web submission forms on MPs websites are sooo tempting

Don't rant about this, don't let it pass. Write to your local MP with a reasoned argument as to why the idea stinks. There is plenty of material available on the Bicycle Helmet REsearch Foundation's website (http://www.cyclehelmets.org/).

Last year I wrote to every single member of the NI assembly who had a published email address. About a dozen replied, all to say they agreed. As far as I can tell, the bill there failed, but there is no room for complacency.

i would like to propose an ammendment to the honerable member's bill. All under 14's to be legally bound to wear knee, elbow and shoulder pads, and gloves. Especially as these parts of the body need to be protected as they generally have first contact with the ground in a crash.

To quote Tom Hanks: "Stupid is as stupid does."

Thankfully Private Members Bills have little chance of becoming law but they are sometimes used to float an idea which the Government take up if is popular.

This idea, although well meant is unworkable, for example do they expect to fine parents who removes their helmet as soon as they are out of sight of home?

... and why 14, the age of criminal responsibility is 10 in England and Wales although they are a minor if under the age of 18?

Private members bills on this seem to come round every few months. Maybe it's a handy way for a backbencher to be seen to be active (good local press for them).

I wonder if I could find an MP who would be up for proposing a private members bill for complusary helmets in cars (as the biggest casue of death in car accidents is head injuries). There must be far more brain injuries caused in cars than on bikes.

Is this really the best use of the valuable time of MPs, the police, journalists and goodness knows who else?

While drivers get away with murder (OK, manslaughter) and many other things are wrong in public life some clown thinks it's a great idea to FORCE children to wear toy helmets, regardless of whether they already wear one and regardless of whether it will make a difference. Brain injuries are caused by a range of incidents and bicycle-related injuries are not the most common cause.

If they REALLY want to do something to help prevent young cyclists being killed and injured they can put money into the provision of cycle training from an early age and explain to parents the difference made by riding safely and using lights at night. Alongside that they can start educating drivers. It might even help. By contrast, a polystyrene hat for RTC victims is NOT going to do the trick.

The funding source: a tax on all car advertising. Judging by the R&D, motorsport and advertising budgets, the size and decor of the showrooms, the glossy brochures and the incessant turnover of new models I'm sure they can find a bit of loose change to help save children's lives.

Due to the council budget cuts the contract for the cycling coach who visits my kids' school (far too infrequently) is due to end this month. He hopes to find work elsewhere. Meanwhile many primary school children won't get any cycle training; they won't get the pleasure and the benefit of participating in his classes and they won't have the confidence to ride their bikes as they grow up.

Better make them wear helmets while on those little scooters, skateboards, on climbing frames and in cars then. Why stop at bikes if you care so much for thier well-being?

Or is it the danger from cars that scares you most about children riding bikes? If that's the case you need more than a helmet to keep them safe.

@northstar - here here. Nanny state, feeling the need to Nanny again. Spend the money on education and not wrist slapping enforcing of expensive laws. It's the responsibility of the parents to ensure they educate their children on the necessity of wearing a helmet.

I see far too many parents without helmets riding bikes with their enforced helmeted kids in tow. What sort of role model is this? Why, as an adult do we think we're any less vulnerable?!

Politics is showbiz for ugly people. Therefore, I would like to see all MP's have to wear full MTB helmets to prevent us from having to look at them. Thoughts?

Are they also going to mandate stomach stapling at the age of five, to combat the inevitable increase in childhood obesity? Maybe politicians should concentrate instead on kicking the Murdochs out of this country, to save children from the brain-damaging effects of reading their newspapers or watching their TV channels.

the ctc are too clued up about this to ever let it happen, unenforceable as well as the police are over stretched and i doubt they would make this a priority, then again you never know with the met...