Shropshire Star comment: Cycling safety is a priority
Had she left the house without wearing a safety helmet, Amey Hogan might not be here today.
The pictures of her face after she’d fallen from her bicycle are shocking. Unpleasant to look at and deeply sobering, they are a reminder of the dangers of riding a bike.
We ought to remember that Amey was wearing a helmet and that her injuries would have been more grave had she not been.
We perhaps ought not to dwell on the likely outcome for too long, rather more we should look at the positives. Amey has done precisely that.
WATCH:
Having survived her ordeal, the plucky 11-year-old decided to warn others of the dangers lest they might make the mistake of not wearing her helmet. Her video, shot on her mobile phone, has had an impact on those who have watched it. It is compelling, honest and absolutely authentic.
Amey has highlighted the importance of wearing a helmet while cycling. And though there are some who do not wear one, her video and her injuries will change the game for many. When you assess the photograph that we have reproduced on page two today, a very simple question emerges: Why would anyone not wear a helmet?
Helmets are relatively inexpensive and they have saved countless lives. Some might suggest they like the sensation of the wind in their hair, the freedom of riding. Motorcycle riders probably used similar arguments many years ago, before the State decided they were just being plain daft. The Government intervened in their case and saved helmetless riders from themselves. In doing so, it has also saved our hospitals and 999 crews from the distressing task of dealing with the aftermath of preventable tragedies.
A national debate ought to take place over whether or not helmets should be compulsory for cyclists on our roads. There are arguments in favour of doing just that. Whether such precautions apply equally off road might be another issue. However, the case of Amey Hogan shows the virtues that helmets have.
Similarly, the issues of bicycles being fitted with adequate lights and a bell ought to be on the agenda. Regulation is important where it leads to fewer accidents and better public safety.
