Martlew Bill - National Cycling Strategy Statement

Have just come across the following statement from the National Cycling
Strategy Board which is very useful for sending to your MP as it is a
statement by the body tasked by Government with responsibility for cycling:

Tony

NCS BOARD - STATEMENT OF POLICY: CYCLE HELMET WEARING

There are many differing views on the merits of cycle helmet wearing, all
based on deeply held conviction. As a consequence, the NCS Board
considers that it would not be appropriate for it to offer a definitive
statement on the issue. However, it is very clear that arguments appearing to
disavow completely the efficacy of cycle helmet wearing, or on the other hand
claiming it to be a major influence in reducing injury to cyclists, are
both wide of the mark.

In pursuit of the national target of a very significant increase in the number
of trips by bicycle, which has all-party political support, the NCS Board
seeks to promote sensible cycle use and to work for the benefit of a safer
traffic environment for cycling. Whilst cycling offers notable
environmental benefits as a mode of transport for short journeys, the scale of
the problem of obesity in the UK means that the public health gains
from significant increases in cycle use and regular exercise are achieving
greater prominence and are equally important.

Recognising that every user of the road, including the pedestrian, is
vulnerable to the risk of accident, reducing levels of risk to cyclists
through
better marketing, education, traffic management and road engineering is an
essential part of the NCS Board's approach. Educational measures
need to reach other road users as well as cyclists. Raising public awareness
of the benefits of cycle helmet wearing is a subset in this matrix.

The NCS Board wishes to ensure that the question of wearing cycle helmets is
placed in its proper context. Arguments which seek to present
cycling as an inevitably dangerous or hazardous activity, or which suggest
that helmet wearing should be made compulsory, risk prejudicing the
delivery of those very benefits to health and environment which cycling can
deliver, and serve to confuse the general public about the wider social
and economic advantages of cycling.

It must remain a decision for the individual as to whether to wear a helmet
for some or all of their various cycling activities. Parents will need to
take this decision on behalf of their children, bearing in mind all the
particular circumstances. The Board is clear that any mandatory requirement
to wear helmets on all occasions would be prejudicial to the realisation of
the benefits which safe cycling can offer our society as a whole.

NCS Board, December 2003

Tony Raven posted ...

It must remain a decision for the individual as to whether to wear a
helmet for some or all of their various cycling activities. Parents
will need to take this decision on behalf of their children, bearing
in mind all the particular circumstances. The Board is clear that any
mandatory requirement to wear helmets on all occasions would be
prejudicial to the realisation of the benefits which safe cycling can
offer our society as a whole.

Nicely put ... and agreed with.

--
Paul

OK, useful looking reference. But I really don't think that my referencing
your posting is going to impress my MP very much.

So how do I reference the statement you're quoting?

Just quote the text as a statement issued by the National Cycling Strategy
Board in December. The NCS site seems to have some problems at the moment for
getting a direct reference but I picked it up from the Cycle Campaign Network
January newsletter.

Tony