The First Minister of Wales has given his support to a Montgomeryshire campaign that is encouraging young cyclists not to ride unless they wear a helmet.
Road safety campaigners BRAKE and the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust (BHIT), are jointly supporting a campaign along with Powys County Council and Dyfed Powys Police, which will engage local schools to raise awareness of the dangers of not wearing a cycle helmet.
Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, raised the local campaign running from 3-9 March during the weekly round of plenary questions to the First Minister and asked what more the Welsh Government could do to change young people’s personal attitudes to cycling road safety.
In response, Carwyn Jones AM said he was very happy to support the campaign and outlined the investment that Welsh Government had provided local authorities for road safety officials and awareness. He also pointed to the Government’s Active Travel Bill currently passing through the National Assembly, which will require local authorities to continuously improve facilities and routes for cyclists.
The week-long campaign will see the emergency services and the Council’s Road Safety Officer, visit four local high schools - Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Newtown, Brynllwyarch - with a presentation and information packs to educate pupils on cycling road safety and the potential fatal risks they run by not wearing protective head gear.
The campaign will conclude on Saturday 9 March in the Bears Lane Shopping Centre, Newtown, where the supporting agencies will be present to offer advice and information to members of the public. Local Montgomeryshire politicians, Russell George AM and Glyn Davies MP, will also be on hand at the event to discuss this and any other issue of public concern.
Commenting, Mr George said:
"I’m extremely pleased that the First Minister is supporting this campaign as the safety of our children on the road should be a priority for all governments.
"I’m sure people will be amazed to know that there is no requirement for cyclists of any age to wear a helmet on roads anywhere in the British Isles.
"Statistics show that just a third of people wear cycling helmets and even more shocking, only a third of children wear helmets; this has to change.
"I want to thank all those involved in this important campaign, particularly BRAKE and BHIT and for the continued efforts of the emergency services and Powys Council in their education outreach work with our local schools."
The High School visiting schedule is:
Tuesday 5th March - Llanfyllin
Wednesday 6th March - Llanidloes
Thursday 7th March - Newtown
Friday 8th March - Brynllwyarch