I believe the Post Office has a policy but this type of thing is not legislated and will be based on your risk assessment. In such a case the helmet will be PPE

A good article on the BBC's site about cycle helmets, discussing both sides of the argument: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12333783 Personally I am convinced by the case for making cycle helmets compulsory for everyone riding a bike. As such, if I was developing the Risk Assessment for cycling at work I would make wearing one mandatory. The think that the Police make wearing helmets mandatory when their officers cycle.

Maybe they don't go where they want to ride; or cars are parked in them; or they're in poor condition. Yes, quite.

Since you can buy a car that doesn't pay excise duty* why should bikes suddenly attract it? *As Churchill said when 'road tax' was abolished "It will be only a step from this for them to claim in a few years the moral ownership of the roads their contributions have created". Prophetic words, eh?

So should motorcyclists have the choice whether to wear a helmet? Or car drivers / passengers the choice whether to wear seat belts?

Gordon, a couple of links that make interesting reading. The BMA saying that helmets do reduce injuries and a typical page from a Cyclists Club saying that they do not! http://www.bma.org.uk/he...ngsafecycling.jsp?page=2 http://www.ctcyorkshireh...rg.uk/campaigns/velo.htm Who is right? I don't have a definitive argument but the majority of the stuff I have read accepts that some reduction in severity of accidents is seen. So, when I made my choice I went with the "wear it" camp. Stevel. The flaw in your suggestion that you "pay the cost" is flawed because you never pay the cost in full. If you are injured and are not wearing a helmet, and your injuries are more severe than otherwise, the additional cost of your treatment is borne by all of us. Directly in the UK via the NHS and by insurance premiums elsewhere. There may be social benefits post accident that might also accrue, once again paid for by all of us. P48

I am a safety manager who does not dictate my global safety requirements. I do however have 2 young grand children who I go cycling with and We will not go out without cycle helmets - no argumants. Now I accept not at work - but if that is me at home - then I will do so so at work and I will try and get at my cyclists - who are commuting - to follow safe practice. Agree it is down to RA and the willingness of management to assist! David

You seem to have some issues with the bicycle! Take a deep breath. PS if you include a '[' before 'quote' then the quotes should display properly.

Actually, I've seen quite a few police officers on foot wearing head protection, too!

I always get cross with the whole cyclists hate motorists, motorists hate cyclists, horse riders hate everyone, etc etc etc. Same old same old. People need to try and see it from each others perspectives. First, I ride horses and cycle (and drive) so I am not biased either way. BUT horses are not legally required to have insurance to be ridden on the road either. Many do but it's not a legal requirement as far as I'm aware. Many cyclists are in fact covered by insurance (I am). Living in the country as I do I can also say that horses hold up traffic as much as bikes do. Many cyclists ride irresponsibly but then so do many horse riders (mobile phones, no ni-viz clothing, riding too-skittish horses on roads, riding one horse and leading another on the road.....and some not wearing hats). So really I can't see any criticism that you can throw at cyclists that can't also be thrown at horse riders. Good and both in both wouldn't you say? As for cycle lanes there is evidence that cycle lanes can do more harm than good, with cyclists at greater risk of being hit by a vehicle when it's alongside a road than in normal circumstances and obvious issues with dual cycle and pedestrain paths (pedestrians can be just as bad at straying onto cyle paths). We live in a crowded soceity and so thse issues are bound to occur. Lets not blame one group of people over another. It's everyones responsbility. As for the subject in question. Well there's no right and wrong is there. There are arguments for both. Personally I would say enforce cycle helmets for an at work activity. But how about asking your insurers what they think??

so ............are we for against wearing a helmet??. i rode a trike for a few years and on a personall note i never wore a helmet .... bit rebellous but as its not the law......tnhis could go on for ever surely it is personal choice...unles its identified in a risk assessment for a work activity. At this rate we will be doing risk assessmnets for people using the bus/tube/car/motorbike/boris bikes for people coming into work. I am going to work from home

Treat them like adults and stop nannying them. Leave it up to them.

But where do you stop? There are quite a lot of head injuries to pedestrians (and car occupants); would you risk assess the need for them to wrap their heads in polystyrene too? If you're not careful some of the newspapers may start suggesting you health and safety people are going too far and then the government might even ask for a review.