Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Road Safety (Cycle Helmets)

07 June 2023 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Mark Pawsey Con Rugby

Transport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Mark Pawsey raised concerns about road safety (cycle helmets) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Moves to introduce a Bill requiring cyclists to wear safety helmets due to a constituent's severe injuries from not wearing a helmet.
  • The 2016 review by Jake Olivier and Prudence Creighton found helmet use reduces head injury risk by 85% and brain injury risk by 88%.
  • Cyclists are noted as the most vulnerable road users.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Mark Pawsey Con Rugby

Moves to introduce a Bill requiring cyclists to wear safety helmets based on his constituent Oliver Dibsdale's accident which left him with severe brain injuries due to not wearing a helmet. Cites the 2016 review and analysis by Jake Olivier and Prudence Creighton that found significant protective effects from helmet use, with reductions of 85% for head injury and 88% for brain injury in helmeted cyclists compared to unhelmeted ones. Stresses that cyclists are the most vulnerable road users.

Other contributors (1)
  • Mark Pawsey Con Rugby

    Describes Oliver's accident and its long-term consequences, highlighting the support for mandatory helmet use from both health benefits and safety perspectives. Emphasises the inconsistency in not mandating helmets when seatbelts are compulsory for cars and helmets are required for motorcycles.

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