Cycling: Helmets

Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents on the subject of cycle helmets.

Dr. Ladyman
None.

Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to promote the wearing of cycle helmets by (a) children, (b) teenagers and (c) the general population.

Dr. Ladyman
For children the Department has set up the “Hedgehogs” website www.hedgehogs.gov.uk and publishes “Arrive Alive” (A Highway Code for young road users).

For teenagers the Department has set up the “Cycle Sense” safety campaign encouraging teenagers to wear helmets. The campaign consists of a series of posters, a website www.cyclesense.co.uk and a supporting TV filler film. At the end of February Think! launched a new teen road safety campaign with MTV. This will include an advertisement on cycling safety encouraging helmet wearing and will air on MTV channels week commencing 16 July.

For adults and the general cycling population the Driving Standards Agency publishes The Highway Code which encourages all cyclists to wear a helmet.

Malcolm Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the percentage of cyclists in the UK who wear protective headgear; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Ladyman
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 20 June 2007, Official Report, columns 1793-94W.