From the UTV News
http://www.u.tv/News/Debate-over-compul ... 9a615bf1d6Debate over compulsory cycle helmet billThere will be a "dramatic drop" in the number of people who cycle in Northern Ireland if compulsory helmet wearing is made law, cycling organisations have warned.
A Private Members' Bill to make it an offence to ride without a helmet is to be debated in the Assembly on Monday.
It has been tabled by the SDLP's Pat Ramsey, who said he hopes it will reduce the number of children and adults suffering head injuries after crashes.
A £50 fine would be imposed on parents if their children are caught without the safety gear, however this would be waived on the first offence if a new helmet is purchased.
Opposing the plan, charities and cycle organisations said it would lead to a significant fall in the number of cyclists.
"We want to make cycling as safe as possible, just like the supporters of this bill," said Tim Edgar, from campaign group CTC.
"But there's robust evidence that making helmets compulsory puts people off cycling in the first place.
"That would have a significant impact on the current levels of cycling which we've worked so hard to increase over the last few years."
Furthermore, Ross McGill from charity Sustrans adds, the law would be impossible to enforce.
"I was a teenager living in upstate New York when cycle helmet legislation aimed at children was introduced," Mr McGill said.
"No child I knew took any notice of the law. It was quite impossible for the police to enforce, even though there were more officers on patrol than you would see in Northern Ireland."
Pat Ramsey said figures from the Health Department have revealed that more than 600 people have been taken to hospital in the last five years with cycle-related head injuries.
He said he is surprised to see that the bill is meeting opposition.
"Head injuries can cause a range of debilitating conditions and of course can be fatal," Mr Ramsey said.
"Recent figures from the Department of Health show that 422 children and 213 adults over the five year period to 2010 were admitted to hospital suffering from head injuries following cycling accidents.
"I am surprised at some of the opposition to this bill. It is not my intention to discourage people from cycling in fact it is the opposite but in a safer manner. And I firmly believe that child protection issue over-rides any civil liberty concern."
Helmet-wearing rates across the UK have increased steadily since 1994 with up to a third wearing them on major roads.
According to the Transport Research Laboratory, helmets are effective in most accidents but that depended on the size of the injured person and the type of incident.
It said a helmeted head can fall at least four times as far for the same risk of injury as an unprotected head.
In Northern Ireland in 2009/10 2% of road casualties involved cyclists. A total of 32 were seriously injured and 164 slightly injured.
Sustrans said in Australia, New Zealand and Canada significant falls in cycle use were recorded after legislation was introduced.
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