Should safety helmets be made compulsory? Yes

Published on 03/06/2012 00:00

“For me, it’s simple: if you can protect yourself from risk of serious head injury, do so.

“I fell off my bike two years ago and sustained a head injury that, in all probability, could have been avoided if I’d been wearing a helmet. Now, I wouldn’t dream of cycling without a helmet. I’d feel vulnerable without it.

“We share road space with motorised vehicles and that in itself puts a cyclist at risk. Safety belts are compulsory for motorists and their passengers, helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists – so why shouldn’t there be a compulsory risk-reduction method for cyclists?

“I think we would all agree children should wear helmets when cycling, but what message do we give our children if we’re so against compulsory helmet wearing for adults?”

Brenda Mitchell, lead solicitor, Cycle Law Scotland

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