Martlew Letter Mike Gayler

Dear Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell,

I understand that a Private Member's Bill is being introduced (by Eric Martlew, the MP for Carlisle) which would make the wearing of helmets compulsory for cyclists under the age of 16. This measure is being pushed by BHIT, a single-interest pressure group. Please can I urge you to oppose this measure, on the following grounds:- I'm a cyclist (both as a commuter, and for leisure) and encouraged both my children from an early age to cycle regularly. My son has taken run for Leicestershire, and cycling has been part of his training regime for many years. I am not, of course, against bicycle helmet wearing per-se - I beleive that choice is the key factor, based on facts, rather than emotion. Parents need to have access to the true facts to allow them to make the choices for their children. Please examine the facts (rather than the one-sided propoganda) before deciding whether to support this measure. However, I sincerely hope I can count on your opposition to bill.
 * Evidence suggests that where compulsory helmets are introduced, cycling decreases among children.
 * The effectiveness of cycle helmets is questionable (far more so than, say, motorcycle helmets)
 * The number of children whose lives just *may* be saved by helmet- wearing is minute in comparison with the health benefits of promoting increased cycle use among young people
 * There are other cycling-related laws which are already inadequately enforced (for example cycling on pavements, and lighting regulations) without adding another
 * Working with schools and parents to promote broader road and cycle safety issues would be likely to be far more effective in improving safety
 * This government has already got a reputation for being intrusive ('the nanny state' is an oft-used phrase) - for heavens sake don't let them dig an even deeper hole!