ROAD safety officers have handed out goody bags to young cyclists to drive home the importance of wearing cycle helmets.

County council staff teamed up with Police Community Support Officers to reward hundreds of youngsters across the county who have been spotted wearing cycle helmets.

The aim of the scheme was to challenge common deterrents to young people wearing the helmets, including peer pressure, fear of bullying and being branded uncool.

The goody bags, from the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, contained information about the correct fitting of a cycle helmet and free entry for a prize draw with a chance to win computer games, digital cameras, portable DVD players and games consoles.

They were given out to youngsters across the county earlier this month, including those in Oxford and Didcot.

Each year in the UK, an average of 70,000 cyclists aged under 16 need hospital treatment due to cycling injuries.

The vast majority of these injuries are sustained off-road and 95 per cent do not involve another vehicle.

Wendy Jennings, road safety officer for the county council, said: “Many parents and children believe there is no need to wear helmets when off-road but, statistically, this is where the vast majority of them are injured – on cycle paths, in parks or even in the garden.

“Cycle helmets can’t prevent an accident but it is proven they reduce the severity of head injuries – particularly in the type of spills that children have.”

Nationally, 30 per cent of hospital admissions for cycling injuries are the result of head injuries, and one per cent of those admitted are likely to die in hospital due to their injuries.

The council’s road safety team offers on-road cycle training and encourages riders to have a road-worthy bicycle and make sure they are visible if cycling in or near traffic.

Rodney Rose, cabinet member for transport, said: “It’s great fun to be out and about on a bike, but cycling must be done as safely as possible.

“If a child is injured during the summer holidays there might be long-term consequences that last into the next school term and beyond.”

The trust is a charity set up by former A&E nurse Angie Lee, who was dismayed at the number of patients being admitted with head injuries.

She said: “Child cyclists are vulnerable road users.

“The organisation encourages everyone to protect their head but particularly promotes the use of cycle helmets for children, as their skulls aren’t fully developed or as thick as those of adults.”

For further information visit bhit.org