Headway Preston & Chorley has warmly welcomed the introduction of a law in Jersey to make it compulsory for children under 14 to wear helmets while cycling. The charity will be supporting and promoting, wherever possible, the importance of wearing a helmet when cycling.
Liz Bamber, Headway Development Officer said, ‘Preston has seen an increase in cyclists since the creation of the Guild Wheel which is used by professional cyclists and families alike. Being a keen cyclist, I use the wheel regularly and I am staggered by the number of people still not wearing helmets. It is hoped that the UK will follow Jersey’s example very soon’.
This is the first law of its kind to be passed in any jurisdiction in the British Isles and has been labelled by Headway – the brain injury association as ‘a momentous landmark in child protection’. The law has been equally welcomed by other charities, including the Child Brain Injury Trust and the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust.
The legislation was introduced following a vote in the States Assembly of Jersey on 17 July 2014.