Outrage at Ruling on Helmets for Cyclists

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Judge says bare-headed cyclists may be to blame if they are injured in a collision

BRITAINS CYCLISTS reacted in uproar yesterday to a High Court ruling that they can be blamed for their injuries if they dont wear a helmet even if the accident itself was caused by someone else.

There can be no doubt that the failure to wear a helmet may expose the cyclist to the risk of greater injury, Mr Justice Williams said, making the unprecedented ruling on an accident involving a motorbike and a cycle in Brightlingsea, Essex in June 2005.

A cyclist is free to choose whether or not to wear one, he said in the legal ruling. But not doing so means any injury sustained …