UK Cycle Helmets
Road casualty statistics for 2019 reveals that 4,433 pedal cyclists suffered a serious injury or fatality in Great Britain. This equates to more than 12 per day.
Between April 2019 and March 2020, hospital data for Great Britain shows that 17,884 pedal cyclists were admitted to hospital as the result of a transport-related incident.
The Road Safety Trust funded Folksam Insurance Group in Sweden, to conduct safety checks on selected UK adult helmets. Child helmets were also included in these checks for the first time. The findings add to previous test results carried out, meaning that test performance for 47 adult helmets are now available.
The Road Safety Trust’s full report including previous year’s test results can be found on the below link:
https://www.roadsafetytrust.org.uk/cycle-helmet-testing
A total of 15 adult cycling helmets and nine children helmets were included in the 2021 test round. Five physical tests were conducted, two shock absorption tests with straight perpendicular impact and three oblique impact tests. The tests were performed by Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), which is accredited for testing and certification in accordance with the European standard. Computer simulations were subsequently carried out to evaluate the risk for concussion.
Oliver Carsten, Trustee of The Road Safety Trust said:
“During the past year cycling has seen a surge in popularity with demand for bikes increasing and an increase in cyclists on the roads. Last June Grant Shapps Secretary for Transport reported an increase in the levels of cycling of up to 200% on weekends and 100% on weekdays.
“It is well documented that wearing a cycling helmet reduces the risk of injury to cyclists, but it is important that, when consumers purchase safety equipment, they spend their money wisely. The recommended adult helmets are both general-purpose helmets and relatively low-cost with an approximate price of £80 for the Scott and £45 for the Specialized. The recommended child helmet costs around £50. This confirms that good safety performance does not require high expense.”
Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030, launched in February, has a vision for Scotland to have the best road safety performance in the world. It supports the 2030 vision for Active Travel – that Scotland’s communities are shaped around people, with walking and cycling the most popular choice for shorter everyday journeys.
We recognise the importance of ensuring we achieve our shared objectives of safe roads and increased walking and cycling. Road safety is a lifelong learning process and education is critical. Through continued collaboration with road safety partners we will ensure road users will have access to learn and enhance their road safety knowledge. This will improve their road user experience, demonstrating positive road safety attitudes.
The Danish Road Safety Council recently released this creative video to encourage cyclists to wear a helmet.
