A DORSET MP has called for a review of the evidence on the impact of making it compulsory for cyclists to wear helmets.

Annette Brooke spoke up after Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins was asked for his views on safety following the death of 28-year-old cyclist who was hit by an Olympic bus on Wednesday.

Mr Wiggins, who had earlier won a gold medal in the time trial, said: “Ultimately, if you get knocked off and you ain't got a helmet on, then how can you argue?” He also said cyclists shouldn't wear headphones and drivers should be more aware.

Later he said he had not been calling for helmets to be made law, but suggesting that wearing them could give cyclists more legal protection if they were involved in an accident.

Mrs Brooke, who represented Mid Dorset and North Poole, presented a Private Members Bill to Parliament last year to try and make it compulsory for those under 14 to wear cycle helmets. She now plans to present another bill after the summer recess to review evidence from countries where such a law has been introduced.

“Brain injury devastates the lives of individuals and their families,” she said. “Children are at higher risk because not only are their brains not fully developed but they are also less experienced at cycling and on the roads in general. Through this bill I hope we can make cycling even safer and encourage children to get out on their bikes.”

Peter Henshaw, vice-chairman of the Dorset Cyclists' Network, said: “Evidence throughout countries, particularly Australia, shows that when you have compulsory helmet laws, the level of cycling drops off.

“Countries like Holland and Germany don't have such a law but drivers are more used to them. The more cyclists there are on the road, the safer it gets. We're certainly in favour of responsible cycling and driving. It's up to everyone to ride and drive sensibly.”

He added: “Although every cycling death is a tragedy, 100 died last year. Many more thousands died because they didn't take enough exercise. Average life expectancy goes up if you cycle. The more people that cycle, the happier we'll all be.”

Jason Falconer, the local Sustrans Bike It officer who is recovering from being seriously injured in a collision in Poole last month, said: “I really feel that every road user of whatever transport needs to start being more responsible.

“And that as cycling becomes more popular, the need to get more cycle training done, nationally, accompanied by better motorist road use is essential.”

Dorset charity Headway is throwing its weight behind Bradley Wiggins' comments.

“Headway has been campaigning for many years to make cycle helmets compulsory, and we are fully behind Bradley's comments,” said Peter McCabe, chief executive of the charity based in Poole.

“Research has shown that cycle helmets can save lives, and can reduce the risk of head and brain injury by up to 88 per cent.

“At Headway, we know the devastating effects a brain injury can have and how easy it can be to damage the brain. A number of Headway service users sustained their injuries through cycling accidents and now face spending the rest of their lives wishing they'd chosen to wear a helmet.”

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