Cyclists and motorists (1)

The arrogance in Joe Borg's letter (Cyclists - The Need For Legislation, December 20) is unacceptable and makes very disturbing reading. In his latest letter he expresses his opinion that cyclists should be legally obliged to wear helmets and pay road tax. Unfortunately he bases his views more on emotion than facts. The following comments apply to adult cycling in road traffic conditions and not to other situations, such as off-roading .

The inconsistent nature of the available data on cycle helmet use does not allow a firm conclusion as to the benefits of wearing helmets. While there are systematic studies showing a protective effect, other studies have yielded contrary results suggesting that wearing a helmet in traffic conditions is more dangerous. It has been observed that the most vocal proponents of helmets are either themselves non-cyclists or manufacturers of bicycle helmets. Also, studies with positive outcomes applied to less severe, non-fatal injuries. There is a need for a disinterested appraisal using sound methodology to meet a high standard of rigour.

The consensus is nevertheless that the wearing of helmets should be encouraged, but not made compulsory, and that educational pro-helmet campaigns should be targeted at children. Also, since cycling itself is beneficial to health, obliging cyclists to wear a helmet may discourage cycling. The as yet unproven protection of cycle helmets should therefore be carefully weighed so as not to negate meaningful benefits both in terms of general health and safety, the latter based on the observation that decreasing the number of cyclists on the road increases the risk of injury to cyclists from vehicles.

Some studies have found increased deaths in cyclists who wear helmets; it is a proven fact that vehicle drivers tend to drive closer to helmeted cyclists. Among the other reasons: cycle helmets might make some injuries worse by converting direct forces into rotational ones which are more serious; there is no protection against neck injuries; helmeted cyclists may ride less carefully; forcing cyclists to wear a helmet will not make them behave more carefully - as do cyclists who wear them by choice; laboratory research has shown up deficiencies of modern soft helmets - cycling helmets are not designed to withstand motor vehicle impacts (which account for the most serious and almost all fatal cyclist injuries).

Finally, and most important of all: Bicycle helmet legislation is of no benefit without education and the introduction of holistic measures to make cycling safer such as, in particular, the introduction of separate cycle paths and traffic calming measures.

As to Mr Borg's other quibbles. Briefly: In no country in the world do cyclists have to pay road tax. Obligatory insurance exists only in Switzerland. Bicycle ownership and use are extremely high in Holland, Switzerland and Denmark, yet the "car industry" is quite healthy in those countries.