8:15AM, Fri Aug 3, 2012

Cycle Helmets No Solution: Gateshead GP Challenges Olympic Star Bradley Wiggins

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Gateshead

Why Gateshead GP thinks Wiggins is wrong

A Gateshead GP has voiced concerns about Olympic Champion Bradley Wiggins' suggestion that cycle helmets should be compulsary.

The four-time gold medal winner put forward the idea following the death of 28-year-old cyclist Daniel Harris.

Mr Harris was knocked down and killed by a bus outside the Olympic Park on August 1, 2012.

But Dr Peter Ward, who also belongs to the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation, believes compulsary helmets are a bad idea.

He said: "It's not the solution. It is a distraction from the real issues affecting cyclists on the roads."

Dr Ward also raised concerns about the effectiveness of cycle helmets, which he says are not designed to work effectively at the speed most road cyclists travel.

He also believes compulsary helmet use could encourage motorists to drive less carefully around cyclists.

Studies by the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation have shown some drivers leave less distance between their vehicle and cyclists wearing helmets than those without.

Since Mr Wiggins suggested the compulsary use of cycle helmets during an interview about the death of Daniel Harris, he has clarified his views on social network site twitter.

He said: "Just to confirm I haven't called for helmets to be made the law as reports suggest. I suggested it may be the way to go to give cyclists more protection legally if involved In an accident."

He added: "I wasn't on me soap box CALLING, was asked what I though #myopiniondoesn'tcountformuch".

The research carried out by the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation can be viewed at www.cyclehelmets.org