Sir, - Regarding the compulsory wearing of cycle helmets (James Maher, December 6th), readers might be interested in the conclusions of a recent British Medical Association report. While favouring the promotion of helmets, it acknowledges that making them compulsory could discourage cycling and have a negative overall effect on public health.
Interestingly, it is car occupants and pedestrians who sustain 80 per cent of all head injuries caused by road traffic accidents (UK Department of Transport, Environment and the Regions statistics). Should all road users be wearing helmets?
Concentrating safety campaigns on helmet use diverts attention from the real issue - the cause of accidents. Resources need to be spent on measures to prevent cycle accidents: provision of safe cycle facilities, creation of more car-free streets, reduction of speed limits in urban areas, education of drivers and cyclists on road behaviour, and enforcement of existing traffic laws.
This is now beginning to happen in Dublin as our cycle network evolves. Let's hope towns and the cities countrywide can become safe enough for walkers and cyclists to venture out without having to wear any extra headgear, except perhaps a woolly hat. - Yours, etc.,
Damien O Tuama, Secretary, Dublin Cycling Campaign, Windy Arbour, Dublin 14.