"Helmets Should Not Be Made Compulsory"

According to doctors who believe law would deter people from taking up cycling

Helmets should not be made compulsory for cyclists according to doctors who believe it would deter people from taking up cycling.

The surprising announcement came from a poll of readers of the British Medical Journal (BMJ) two thirds of whom voted against a law to make cycle helmets mandatory for adults.

BMJ's findings were published just a day after a Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell issued a personal appeal on YouTube imploring cyclists to "Use your head. Use your helmet."

July marked the first anniversary of the cycling accident in which James Cracknell was seriously injured. He believes his helmet saved his life.

Explaining why they were against the law being introduced, BMJ reader said: "It gives out the message that cycling is dangerous, which it is not. The evidence that cycling helmets work to reduce injury is not conclusive. What has, however, been shown is that laws that make wearing helmets compulsory decrease cycling activity.

"Cycling is a healthy activity and cyclists live longer on average than non-cyclists."

August 1, 2011