Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas,a Welshman,says he believes cyclists should be forced to wear helmets.Thomas told The Sunday Tunes Magazine that a helmet law would help keep cyclists safer.
"Wearing helmets should become a law," Thomas said. "I always wear a helmet.I've put on a helmet more times than I've worn a seat belt.Wearing helmets is not too hot,and you don't look stupid -no reason not to. "
Thomas' suggestion is contrary to the belief of Cycling UK,the UK's national cycling charity,which have said there is no good reason for forcing people to wear helmets and that the law could lower levels of cycle use.
While riders like Thomas have to wear helmets in bike races since 2003 only two countries,Australia and New Zealand,require all cyclists to wear a helmet.Some other countries enforce helmets for children only.The highway laws in the UK don't require helmet use,only suggesting cyclists use one.
Chris Boardman,British Cycling policy advisor,said that a helmet law would mainly do damage through a drop in the number of cyclists.
"All over the world,countries with the highest use of safety gear(裝置)are the most dangerous for cyclists," Boardman wrote in 2017. "Wherever helmet use has been made a law,there has been no drop in head injury unless the number of cyclists also drops.
"About 110 people are killed each year while cycling on our roads,but almost all of these result from collisions(相撞) with cars or trucks,where the protection offered by a cycle helmet is negligible.
"In the UK 1 in 6 deaths - nearly 90,000 per year - is as a result of physical inactivity related disease.Clearly,any measure proven beyond doubt to lower people's probability to travel by bike,will almost certainly kill more people than it saves. "
(1)What is Thomas' opinion on wearing helmets while cycling?(No more than 10 words)
He thinks cyclists should wear helmets.
He thinks cyclists should wear helmets.
(2)What is Cycling UK's attitude to a helmet law?(No more than 10 words) Cycling UK's attitude to a helmet law is disapproval.
Cycling UK's attitude to a helmet law is disapproval.
(3)What does Paragraph 4 mainly tell us?(No more than 10 words) The use of the helmets in some countries.
The use of the helmets in some countries.
(4)What does the underlined word in Paragraph 7 probably mean?(No more than 3 words) Very small.
Very small.
(5)Do you think it necessary to wear helmets?Please explain.(No more than 20 words) I think it is necessary.Because wearing a helmet can protect your head and effectively protect the lives of cyclists.
I think it is necessary.Because wearing a helmet can protect your head and effectively protect the lives of cyclists.