Critics Track Cycle Helmets Bill

Controversial draft legislation on the use of cycle helmets could have a particularly harsh impact on children from socially deprived areas.

That's the news that will be given to the Assembly's Environment Committee at a planned consultation meeting in Londonderry's Everglades Hotel today.

The Committee is currently considering the Cyclists (Protective Headgear) Bill, tabled by the SDLP MLA, Pat Ramsey, that, if enacted, would make it an offence to cycle without a helmet.

The Cycle Campaign Group, (CTC) and the charity, Sustrans, both believe that compulsory helmet wearing is flawed and could lead to a dramatic drop in the number of people who cycle in Northern Ireland, particularly in less affluent areas.

"We share the wish of the supporters of this Bill to encourage people to cycle safely," explained Steven Patterson, Sustrans' Northern Ireland Director.

"But, in countries like Australia and New Zealand, there were dramatic drops in cycle use when similar legislation was brought in, and we fear the same thing could happen here.

"Of particular concern is the fact that children in more socially deprived areas are less likely to wear cycle helmets - meaning they'll be disproportionately affected by this legislation.

"We've worked hard to encourage cycling throughout Northern Ireland, and we're really concerned that the current upward trend in cycling levels could be reversed," he said.

One group which shares the cyclists' concern about the adverse impact of the Bill is the Da - Young Father's Project, a charity which works with young fathers and their families, primarily in socially deprived areas, in Derry/Londonderry, Strabane and Limavady.

Da is about to run a special programme to encourage more families to take up cycling.

"Many of our clients have difficulty putting food on the table every week," said Darren Boyle, Da's Project Co-ordinator.

"The cost of a helmet, while it might be easily affordable for many people, would be prohibitive for most of them.

"We're trying very hard to encourage the families we work with to cycle because of its health benefits, but this law may well put many of them off."

Sustrans and the CTC will be putting forward proposals for alternative ways of making cycling safer, such as high quality cycle training and 20 mph areas.

"We want to emphasise that the risk of serious injury when cycling is actually fairly low," said Steven Patterson.

"But we do firmly advocate good quality on-road cycle training and greater use of 20 mph zones.

"These measures would help enhance cycle safety - but with the added benefit of encouraging people to cycle, rather than putting them off."

(BMcC/KMcA)