Time to use your head and wear a helmet when cycling

Ireland is on target to have its worst year since 2008 for cyclist deaths and there is no legal requirement for cyclists to wear a helmet and no Government appetite to change the law, writes Brian McDonald.

RYAN SMITH was and still is mad about his hair. At 16, image is all important and Ryan never went anywhere socially without his blond hair groomed to perfection.

Even when cycling, keen sportsman Ryan didnt want anything to interfere with his tresses and wouldnt be caught dead wearing a cycling helmet. Tragically, he nearly was and probably because he didnt have a helmet.

In August last year his bike collided with a van and Ryan suffered a brain injury. He was in a coma when rushed to hospital and received emergency treatment in a respiratory ward before being moved to a specialist neurology centre.

Following extensive treatment, Ryan finally made it home on September 1 this year, 13 months after his accident. He is still brain injured, but his family in Lincolnshire are just thrilled to have him back once again.

His Dad, Mark, a paramedic, is now campaigning for a law to force cyclists to wear helmets.

Mark Smith is calling for everyone to support the compulsory wearing of helmets for cyclists after his son Ryan suffered a brain injury.

I always wear a helmet. I always told Ryan to wear a helmet, but he was 16, his hair is his life and sadly he has the not going to happen to me attitude. Hes like any young lad and they just think they are invincible, he said.

On November 24 Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe launched the Galway Bike Scheme and got into the saddle himself to promote the environmentally-progressive project. He didnt wear a helmet.

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Time to use your head and wear a helmet when cycling