FURTHER to Colin Clarke's informative letter (Time To Consider The Case For Cycle Helmets, May 19), we can already observe in York what happens when unwilling cyclists are forced to wear helmets.

How many cycling postmen do you see with their helmets strapped on? At least half of them show their contempt for this nanny-minded rule by leaving the straps undone. A correctly adjusted and secured helmet may occasionally prevent head injury, but any law forcing cyclists to wear helmets is likely to result in this sort of ineffectual token compliance.

Hugh Barwell,

Fulford Road,

York.

Updated: 09:46 Tuesday, May 23, 2006