BEFORE you give further prominence to the pro-cycle helmet debate (August 29), please consider the following advice from the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC).

Cycle helmets are made of polystyrene and offer minimal protection. They are designed to withstand falls from a bike at no more than around 12mph.

The CTC is concerned that the protection offered by helmets is often exaggerated and advocate the right of cyclists to choose. We are strongly against helmets being made mandatory.

Furthermore, the debate about cycle helmets deflects attention from the real issue - that measures to improve road safety and slow speeds would have a far greater impact on injury statistics.

Cycle helmet wearing can give limited protection in some situations, for example during low speed falls when children are using bikes as play equipment. In many situation, a helmet gives cyclists as much protection as an egg shell.

It cannot prevent rotation of the brain during collision - a particular cause of long term damage.

There is increasing evidence that helmet wearing gives both the wearer and other road users a false sense of security. In fact it shifts the onus for safety on to the potential victim, and removes attention from the root causes of many injuries to cyclists.

More children are seriously injured while travelling in the back seats of their parents' car than while cycling. Should they be made to wear suits of armour?

Paul Hepworth,

CTC North Yorkshire,

Windmill Rise,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 10:30 Monday, September 01, 2003