Northern Ireland close to compulsory cycle helmet law

Cyclists across Britain are being urged to fight plans by the Northern Ireland Assembly to enact a mandatory Cycle Helmet Bill.

Cycling organisations have united to oppose the Cycle Helmet Bill, which has passed a second reading and now goes to committee stage. They point out that in Northern Ireland there were no cyclist deaths in 2009 or 2010, but that society becomes ever more obese and each year thousands die from diseases associated with inactivity.

Evidence from other countries with helmet laws unanimously demonstrates a resulting drop in cycle participation. It is disproportionate to the tiny risks of cycling and the health costs of discouraging cycle use far outweigh any imaginable benefit.

The arguments against making cycle helmets compulsory are made in greater detail at Wrongheaded.org.uk and all British residents are entitled to object to the Cycle Helmet Bill by signing an online petition.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The wrong decision in Northern Ireland could herald a change in the law to make helmets compulsory across Britain, so it is vital that cyclists have their voices heard now.”

ETA comment: Cycle helmets now, life jackets next?

In Australia it is compulsory to wear a helmet if you are cycling. Fortunately, here in Britain, whether one wears a helmet or not is a matter of choice.

Rightly, the Australian government is concerned for the safety of its citizens. Before it introduced the law in 1990 about 45 cyclists were killed each year in Australia. Since the wearing of cycle helmets has been compulsory that figure has fallen to 30 people a year. The fall is in line with the reduction in cycling caused by the introduction of compulsory helmets themselves.

In Britain around 400 people a year drown, 80 of whom fall in. Under a new law, everyone in and around water will have to wear a life jacket. A Sunday afternoon walk by the canal will never seem the same again.

Protect yourself, protect your bike

Every cycle insurance policy from the ETA covers against theft, vandalism and accidental damage (even at race events) and includes third party insurance, personal accident cover, bicycle breakdown cover and more.

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