§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has recently assessed the change in the rates of injury from accidents for children cycling as a result of wearing helmets. [83897]
§ Mr. SpellarThis information is not available centrally. However, the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust has been running a cycle helmet promotion scheme in Reading since 1992. During that time, cycle helmet use by children has trebled and there has been a 45 per cent, reduction in the number of hospital treated head injuries. A recent study commissioned by the Department on the effectiveness of cycle helmets found that overall, evidence suggests that cycle helmets are effective at reducing the severity of head, brain and upper facial injuries for all ages, especially children. This report will be published shortly.
456W