The photos that have created the debate. In Ireland and Britain the main theme of promoting cycling safety is to continually advise cyclists they must wear helmets and hi-vis. While both are to be advised, many campaigners say a more sophisticated approach is required.
Former world TT champion and Olympic gold medal winner Chris Boardman has said current advice by safety agencies about helmets and hi-vis will become an embarrassment in years to come.
He likened efforts to improve cycling safety by telling cyclists to wear helmets and high visibility kit to the adverts of the 1950s suggesting smoking was healthy.
Boardman was reacting to the sharing of safety advice on the British Highway Code’s official Twitter account.
In Britain, as in Ireland, lights are compulsory under the law if cycling during hours of darkness. However, while helmets and hi-vis are recommended, they are not compulsory.
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In Ireland Minister for Transport Shane Ross confirmed the Government had examined helmets and hi-vis and decided not to make them compulsory.
He said introducing new laws to compel cyclists to wear them could be seen as a "nanny state" move. While insisting cyclists should wear both, he said it was a matter of choice for cyclists.
The Highway Code group in Britain shared part of the Highway Code which advises cyclists they should wear helmets and hi-vis.
And while neither is compulsory, the group also shared two photos of the same cyclist.
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In one shot, marked with an approving green tick, the cyclist is wearing a helmet and hi-vis belt. And in the other photo, which is marked with a disapproving red 'X', he is wearing neither item.
Chris Boardman is the British Cycling policy advisor and cycling commissioner of Greater Manchester.
His mother was also killed while cycling, during daylight hours, by a motorist who didn't see her in the road after she had crashed at a roundabout. The driver was distracted by his phone.
Boardman was quick to criticise the messaging in the photos, saying it would not stand the test of time.
"It’s one of those pictures, like (in) the 1950s 'healthy people smoke Marlborough' messages; we will look back on in years to come and ask ‘what were we thinking?’”
Cycling UK was also critical of the messaging in the photos, saying it was ‘victim blaming’.
“Helmets are only really effective in low-impact collisions, we need better infrastructure for cyclists and education for drivers,” a spokesperson said.
“If you look at places like the Netherlands and Denmark, where there are more cyclists, it’s not helmets that contribute to low death rates for cyclists but roadscapes and townscapes that are designed to keep people safe.”
You should wear
• a cycle helmet which is the correct size and securely fastened
• appropriate clothes for cycling
• light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light
• reflective clothing and/or accessories in the dark pic.twitter.com/OCI6zzz0nJ— The Highway Code (@HighwayCodeGB) January 3, 2019
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