HC Deb 24 February 2003 vol 400 cc284-5W
Jane Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the effects on incidence and severity of injuries to cyclists as a result of increased cycle helmet wearing in the UK; [98988]

(2) whether his Department has assessed the relative safety merits of (a) promoting helmet wearing for cyclists and (b) promoting helmet wearing for (i) car drivers and (ii) pedestrians. [98986]

Mr. Jamieson

The Department commissioned an independent review of the effectiveness of cycle helmets, which was published at the end of November 2002 as Road Safety Research Report Number 30. Among other things, it concluded that bicycle helmets are effective at reducing the incidence and severity of head, brain and upper facial injuries. Also, 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.

We have not made a similar assessment for pedestrians and car occupants.

Jane Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of reports 286 and 365 published by the Transport Research Laboratory on the effects on cycle use of promotional campaigns to encourage cycle helmet wearing. [98987]

Mr. Jamieson

Cycle helmet wearing rates observed on major built-up roads have increased significantly from 16 per cent. in 1994 to 22 per cent. in 1999. TRL Report 286 is principally a study of observed cycle helmet wearing rates in 1996. The report includes an assessment of current local authority initiatives to promote cycle helmet wearing and observed wearing rates but does not provide sufficient evidence to draw any firm conclusions about the effect of promotional campaigns on the levels of cycling.

Our objectives to increase cycling and improve the safety of cyclists are complementary. A key component in making cycling more popular is to make it a safer and more pleasant activity. Cycle helmets are effective at reducing head, brain and upper facial injuries, so encouraging the use of cycle helmets is one of many approaches to improving the safety of cyclists on our roads. A number of other approaches are summarised in TRL Report 365.