Posted By Paul
Jane,

Just a thought but this might be an ideal thing to consider. It is National Standard Cycle Training mainly used for school children but they also carryout training for adults.

Just a suggestion....

http://www.cycle-n-sleep...20proficiency%20main.htm

Posted By tmg
Hello Jane,

Try the Rospa link below:
http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/advice/cycling/

Hope this helps.

Posted By MT
I hate to say it, but the jury's still out on whether cycling helmets actually do more good than harm.

Someone else suggested the CTC, who are a brilliant organisation, but I must draw your attention to this article on their site:

http://www.ctc.org.uk/De...pDefault.aspx?TabID=4688

You might want to have a look at this site too: http://www.cyclehelmets.org/

and this particularly interesting article: http://www.cyclehelmets.org/papers/c2023.pdf

Thought this info might help you, as it's always best to be armed with as much knowledge as possible before coming to a decision!

Posted By Jack
Whenever the question of cycling safety is considered there appears to be an automatic assumption that a cycle helmet is the answer. As MT says the jury is still out on this. Making helmets compulsory for staff travelling to work could well lead to fewer cycling to work, and therefore taking less exercise. In countries where helmets have been made compulsory -- and this is covered in the links MT has cited -- it has been found that cycling rates have declined (with consequent effects on health and the environment) but with no improvement in head injury rates.

I feel you should leave it up to the cyclists themselves to choose whether or not to wear a helmet (and I take this view both when cycling whilst at work let alone when cycling to work in your own time).

PS since typing this I've seen Peter's link to the Walker paper, and passing distance helmeted or unhelmeted (& wigged unwigged!) is also a factor

Posted By Ian Blenkharn
Strange isn't it, that there is a slightly self-congratulationary tone to all this.

We are working hard to protect and enhance the welfare of our employees, even while they cycle to work. Isn't that wonderful. How thoughtful and kind we are!

I suppose it's the same kindness that overlooks speeding in company vehicles, or in private cars on the way to work (more likely on the way home), using mobiles while in company vehicles, and not wearing seat belts. Of course, there may be a policy, but the evidence is that those are in large part simple window dressing prepared in the full knowledge of what really happens.

And then there is that ultimate kindness, to erect smoking shelters so that those who wish to put their health at risk by smoking will not feel the chill of a brisk wind, or feel the rain on their heads!

But isn't it strange how we get ourselves into a muddle over these matters, but always find a reason for self-congratulation whichever way we choose to spin this.

Posted By Jane Ling
Many thanks to all the very helpful responses which have given me some new areas to search. The debate about helmets or no helmets is an interesting one.

To the more sceptical response I would like to reply that I find it very disappointing to get this type of answer to a straightforward query. Although I do appreciate that some people do this to get a debate going, it can also serve to put people off posting serious questions on the forum. In fact I very rarely do post because I have received this type of response before. You may think I am being thin skinned but these responses are making assumptions when they know nothing about the safety culture in an organisation.

Also I can still remember my health and safety training and was under the impression that encouraging health and safety out of work was considered a good thing.

We are not trying to dictate to people what they do in their own time but trying to raise awareness.

Posted By Peter F
How many of you cycle, I always wear a helmet and was involved in an incident were the helmet actually saved me from a major injury.
Previous to taking part in an event I would never have worn one.

Everything has it's plus and minus points. It's like everything in health and safety,I draw up risk assessments and put in control measures but do we continue them at home?

Campaigns are great to get the message across, but once out of work people have the right to make their own choices.

Posted By Jane Ling
Thanks to everyone for the really useful advice, in particular the information about helmets.

I would however like to add that my initial post must have been misleading. Our intention was never to try and force employees to wear safety helmets only to raise safety awareness by providing information.