[Article] Cyclists take the air out of safety ideas for children

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/3231212?view=Eircomnet

Cyclists take the air out of safety ideas for children
From:The Irish Independent
Thursday, 20th May, 2004

A SAFETY body came in for severe criticism yesterday after proposing that children under 12 should not be allowed to cycle "in any sort of traffic".

Two cycling organisations rejected the recommendation as "outrageous" and also questioned the National Safety Council's (NSC) suggestion that cycling helmets should be compulsory.

The NSC made the proposals as it launched a leaflet, Going to School, offering safety advice to all road users.

The Irish Cycling Campaign (ICC) accused the NSC of trying to intimidate cyclists off the road and said that, given the increasing risk of obesity, children should be encouraged to cycle.

ICC spokesman David Maher said: "In Denmark and Holland, over 50pc of all children cycle to school each day."

He accused the NSC of misleading the public in claiming the helmets could reduce cyclists' deaths and head injuries by up to 50pc.

The NSC has quoted research from the state of Victoria in Australia, which saw a 48pc fall in head injuries after the introduction of mandatory helmets.

Mr Maher said the number of cyclists dropped by over 40pc after helmets became mandatory.

Cycling Ireland president PJ Nolan said he "absolutely" would not advocate that children under 12 should not be allowed to cycle.

Mr Nolan, whose group organises a national championships for children under 12, also said that while his organisation recommends the wearing of helmets, the evidence on their ability to prevent injuries or fatalities was not conclusive.

Last night, Pat Costello, NSC chief executive, defended the proposals.

He stressed the introduction of mandatory helmets was only being suggested as an educational mechanism. He said his remit was to promote safety.

"We consider that unless children are fully trained and fully alert, it is too dangerous for youngsters of 12 to go cycling alone in traffic," he said.

Grainne Cunningham

mike65

This is the trouble with such a body as the NSC they have to justify thier exisitence so sometimes come up with daft notions.

Mike.

Victor

Originally posted by mike65
This is the trouble with such a body as the NSC they have to justify thier exisitence so sometimes come up with daft notions.

... and the sponsorship they get from the motoring industry (mostly insurance companies).