The safety issues surrounding cycling helmets: new study published

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov. 26, 2012 - United Kingdom, November 2012 – The recent accidents of two high-profile cycling personalities, Bradley Wiggins (winner of this year's Tour de France and multiple Olympic gold medal winner) and Shane Sutton (head coach for the GB Cycling Team) have highlighted the safety of cyclists on our roads. In view of Wiggins recent call to make cycle helmets obligatory, and in the wake of Road Safety Week (19-25 November), new research in the latest issue of Social Care and Neurodisability,  (www.emeraldinsight.com/scn.htm), published by Emerald Group Publishing, investigates clinical and legal issues around the wearing of cycle helmets.

The paper, written by Dr. Declan McNicholl (Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist), Ms Dawn Slow (Affinity Law Ltd) and Ms Anne Oliver, explains how helmets work, describes the current standards and regulations and reviews evidence for and against the use of cycle helmets as an effective method of protection against brain injury.  In addition, this review of the literature also gives the actuarial and clinical backdrop to relevant case law, in particular the issue of contributory negligence.

Dr. McNicholl comments, “The evidence in the cycle helmet debate is polarized and is compromised by methodological limitations.  However, on balance, it suggests that standard cycle helmets will protect against head and brain injury up to an impact of 12mph.”

This article appears in Volume 3 Issue 4 of Social Care and Neurodisability, which is published by Emerald Group Publishing. The journal is aimed at anyone working in social work, case management, social care and all others interested in the areas of acquired brain injury, neurodisability and neuroscience.  

This issue is currently available online in its pre-publication EarlyCite format until its official publication in December. Free access details are available by contacting Jo Sharrocks, Publisher: jsharrocks@emeraldinsight.com

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