When I express my view that mandatory helmet laws are unhelpful people sometimes say to me 'but you wear a helmet.' Indeed I do - some of the time. My personal reason for this is as follows: I've come off my bike twice in recent years, in both cases no other vehicle was involved. The first time, not wearing a helmet, I don't remember the crash, had to spend a night in the Northern General Hospital (not pleasant - my wife tells me that there was blood from a previous occupant under the bed, that wasn't cleared up while I was there) had a broken nose, etc. The second time, wearing a helmet, I do remember the incident (Actually I'd rather not) again got taken to the NGH in an Ambulance, got stitched up and sent home. All of this is anecdotal and just relates to me. So when people say to me that as a fairly prominent cycle campaigner I should set an example and not wear a helmet, I have two words for them, one of which is 'Off'. I happen to live in a city with steep hills and crap roads and wearing a helmet is often the best thing to do. On the other hand, I frequently don't wear one - I left it on a train and didn't get it back for a few weeks recently, then a few days later it was stolen from my bike after I'd nonchalantly left it hanging off the handlebars. I've just bought a new one which I have to say is a much better fit. .
I continue to believe that wearing a helmet should be an informed personal choice. All the evidence shows that mandatory helmet laws are counter-productive. If your kids or your friends won'rt ride because they don't like wearing a helmet, be cool about it - teach them to ride safely and the benefits to them will far outweigh the risk of a bang on the head.
