HC Deb 19 April 1994 vol 241 cc438-9W
Mr. Devlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the possibility of requiring all cyclists to wear protective headgear on public roads.

Mr. Key

The benefits of cycle helmets are well established, particularly for children and young adults who are most at risk of injury when cycling. Research shows that good standard cycle helmets reduce the chance of head injury by 85 per cent. and brain injury by 88 per cent. We actively promote helmet wearing but are not minded to regulate to make it a criminal offence to ride a bicycle without a helmet.