----- Original Message -----

From: Bob Laing

To: cardiff.cycling@...

Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 11:07 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: BMA calls for compulsory helmets

There is another group of people to have a go at besides the politicians and transport officials - and that is cyclists themselves.  Unless cyclists get their act together to campaign effectively they will continue to be ignored by the decision makers.  Cyclists are going to get the facilities they deserve. 

----- Original Message -----

From: Dyfed Huws

To: cardiff.cycling@...

Sent: Friday, July 01, 2005 6:26 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: BMA calls for compulsory helmets

Agree. In fact the Welsh BMA Public Health and community medicine committee proposed a motion against this for exactly these reasons, and called instead for the BMA to lobby to improve urban environments to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians and public transport as a better option (this of course does NOT mean more narrow discontinuous and angualr strips of pink tarmac for cars to park on).

 

I'm still waiting for Cardiff's Liberal Democrats to deliver on this new urban environment with their so called green thread - only more useless pink tarmac to tick off kms of cycle lanes so far, and dreams of dual carriageways, and cheap car parking. Is it due to a lack of political vision I wonder, a lack of political boldness, or plain ignorance perhaps, or are the transport officials still stuck in the old British mistakes of the past continuing to advise coucillors (who could disagree with them and conjure up a big vision for transport in Cardiff) that expensive roads and cars bring economic development? Blair still needs to convert Welsh councils as well as Bush at the G8 on climate change! I call on Councillor Jim to visit some Scandinavian, Dutch or northern German cities to see proper transport systems in action!

 

Dyfed

 

Dr Dyfed Wyn Huws

Ymgynghorydd Annibynnol Iechyd y Cyhoedd - Independent Consultant in Public Health

 

Gwasanaethau dwyieithog polisi a strategaeth iechyd y cyhoedd

Bilingual public health policy and strategy services

E: dyfedhuws@...

Bob Laing <bob.laing@...> wrote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cycling Scotland"
To:
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 4:17 PM
Subject: BMA calls for compulsory helmets


> Dear Bob,
>
> BMA helmet call risks Britain's health.
>
> Posted: Friday, June 24, 2005
>
> The British Medical Association has ignored evidence from around the world
> and called for the compulsory wearing of helmets by cyclists. Many
> organisations dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of cyclists, the
> majority of the cycle trade and many health promotion agencies are opposed
> to the idea as it is likely to result in a decrease in cycle use at a time
> when inactivity related illnesses are responsible for the early death of
> more than 20% of the population.
>
> Last year's Commons Select Committee on Health stated that meeting the
> National Cycling Targets would have a more positive influence on the
> nation's health than any other measure. Helmet compulsion not only results
> in a drop in cycling figures where it has been introduced, it has even
> been shown to increase the danger of cycling per mile travelled.
>
> In addition, it has never been proven as effective on a population basis
> in road environments, with some reports showing that helmets can increase
> the risk of injuries to other parts of the body, especially the neck.
>
> It is our opinion that calls for responsible and courteous behaviour by
> road users should be the first step to safer roads.
>
> If helmets were to be used in the most effective way, then it's worth
> noting that they have been proven as more beneficial to pedestrians and
> car passengers, who make up the

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