Transport Minister heads back to school

Sunday 05 July 2015

Youngsters at Bel Royal School are the latest to get kitted out so that they are properly equipped to ride their bikes.

Jersey's Transport Minister Deputy Eddie Noel helped hand out a dozen new cycle helmets so that the school's nursery is all geared up to get their bikes out.

Together with the Island's Road Safety Officer Philip Blake and a team from Headway - the charity who helps Islanders with brain injuries - he helped explain to the children in assembly on Thursday why they need to wear a helmet. With the help of 'Eggbert' the egg they showed the children the impact it has on your head if you fall off a bike when you're not wearing a helmet.

Speaking after the assembly Transport Minister Deputy Eddie Noel said: “This morning I had the opportunity to go back to school where I was reminded about the importance of wearing a cycling helmet and how to fit it properly on my head. I always wear my helmet when I am cycling. With the warm dry weather planned for the following months and more families out cycling, we are continuing to remind youngsters how they can look cool, feel good and feel safe when wearing a helmet.”

The Jersey Cycle Helmet Law came into effect last October and now all children aged 13 and under have to wear an approved cycle helmet when out on the roads, on cycle tracks and pedalling around housing estates. 

The cycle helmet campaign - run by the police and TTS with the support of Headway who provide the helmets - has been on the road ever since delivering assemblies in over 20 schools across the Island.

Road Safety Officer Philip Blake said: “From a Road Safety perspective, cycle helmets are really important. They are so important, that it’s now Law and we really hope it helps parents to get their children to wear a helmet when they ride their bike on the road including cycle paths and housing estates. If your child doesn’t comply with the Law, yes you can be fined, but we hope we don’t have to do that, we only want to see children wearing safety helmets. Road Safety will be one of the main scenarios covered at next week’s Safety in Action Week.”