Dr Richard Harvey, Coopers Shoot
In reply to Robin Harrison’s comments on bicycle safety (Letters March 20). I submit the current updated research supporting the wearing of bicycle helmets.
In the USA the 2015 Department of Transportation statistical survey, a study of bicycle injuries (including 818 deaths), came to the conclusion that ‘bicycle lanes and helmets’ may reduce the risk of death.
Almost 75 per cent of fatal crashes involved a head injury, and 97 per cent of cyclists who died were not wearing a helmet.
An Australian study, by the University of NSW in 2016 came to the same conclusions. The worldwide study of more than 64,000 cyclists, showed cycle helmet use reduced the risk of fatal head injury by 65 per cent.
I do agree that the number of participating cyclists decreased in the 90s when helmet laws were introduced. But we, as cyclists, need to remember cycling on our terrible roads is a dangerous activity.
We need many more designated bicycle lanes, but please obey the law (and protect your head) by wearing an approved helmet. It’s been proven to work.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
