Wearing a Helmet and/or Hi-Viz is a personal choice.
It’s true that if a cyclist is involved in a serious collision, a helmet could reduce the severity of injuries and save your life. However, cycle helmets do not reduce the likelihood of a collision occurring. Helmets are only compulsory for cyclists in a few places around the world. Research from Australia and New Zealand, has shown that when helmets are made compulsory, this significantly reduces the number of people who choose to cycle.
Certain groups continue to seek to apportion blame for traffic collisions between motorists and vulnerable road-users, on the victims. The highway code clearly places the burden for avoiding collisions on the driver of the motor vehicle. Whilst bright-coloured clothes and high-viz can make people easier to see, it is the motorists’ responsibility to drive safely for the conditions. This includes driving at a suitable speed in built-up areas, and being vigilant for other vulnerable road-users.
In Denmark and Netherlands – two of the countries where cycling is most common, both helmet wearing and high-viz are rare. Safe infrastructure, segregated from heavy traffic, has a greater social-value than compulsory helmet or high-viz legislation. Cycling provides many benefits, both to the individual and society. Experts agree, that on balance the benefits of greater participation in active travel to society, outweigh the benefits of compulsory helmet wearing.
In common with the Police and responsible members of the press, we will avoid using the term “accident” in relation to traffic incidents and collisions. The word accident means an unforeseen or unintentional event, and implies that no one was at fault. Sadly, the majority of incidents on our roads are not accidents, too many are caused by avoidable factors including; excessive speed, being under the influence of drink or drugs, taking undue care, or driving beyond the driver’s abilities in the conditions. Until the causes of any traffic collision or incident are known, we will refer to it as an incident or collision to avoid this confusion.
