Olympic Cycle Stars Urge Parents To Think! Cycle Helmets When Buying Bikes This Christmas

Olympic cyclists Rob Hayles and Jamie Staff want parents to use their heads and buy a helmet if they are treating their children to bikes, skateboards or rollerblades this Christmas.

Christmas is a boom time for buying bicycles, with a third of all bikes sold over the festive season. However, research from the government's THINK! road safety campaign shows that a quarter of all parents who have bought their child a bike for Christmas have never bought them a cycle helmet - potentially putting them at risk.

Double Olympic medal winner Rob Hayles said: "Even the best biker, boarder or rollerblader can take a tumble and a helmet provides your child with vital protection. There are loads of great models and designs of helmet to chose from so mums and dads shouldn't find it hard to find one their kids will like."

THINK! campaign supporter and Olympic cyclist Jamie Staff said: "Helmets and other protective equipment can reduce the chances and severity of head injuries that could kill a child or leave him or her permanently disabled. It's important for parents not just to buy safety gear, but to make sure their kids wear it."

In 2003, 595 child cyclists were killed or seriously injured. Equipment such as helmets and padding, lights, reflectors and brightly coloured clothes are vital in helping children stay safe on the roads.

With Christmas fast approaching, the THINK! campaign has issued the following advice for keeping your child safe with their new Christmas gift:

1. If you're buying a bike, make sure it is the right size - a bike that is too big or too small can affect your child's balance. Buy the bike from a reputable dealer and ask their advice on the most appropriate type and size.
   
   
2. Check whether cycle training courses are available at your child's school, or in your local area, by contacting the Road Safety Officer in your local council. Where possible book your child in.
   
   
3. Make sure that your child has a cycle helmet and wears it every time they ride their bike.
   
   
4. Keep your child's bike well maintained - check that the front and back lights work, the back reflector is clean and the brakes and tyres are working well.
   
   
5. Remember that it is an offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back - don't forget to buy your child lights.
   
   
6. Buy a good cycle lock (the best ones are graded), and have the bike frame marked with your postcode.
   
   
7. Remind your child never to rollerblade or skateboard on the road - where possible they should use playgrounds or parks where there are special areas provided.
   
   
8. When cycling, rollerblading or skateboarding, children need to avoid busy areas and always take care near pedestrians, particularly young children and the elderly.
   
   
9. Show your child where the special cycle routes, paths and lanes in your area are. Many local authorities and some schools have local cycle route maps available.
   
   
10. Explain to your child that it is dangerous to wear a personal stereo or use a mobile phone whilst cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, or just as a pedestrian, and why they must take care when out with their friends.

For more information, please call Clo Davey, Amy Gooden or Peter Fitch on 020 7839 4321 or visit www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk or www.hedgehogs.gov.uk