Road Safety and Breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is warning London visitors and dwellers to ‘Think a Head’ before jumping on the free bike scheme.

“Whilst the principle of the scheme is fantastic, there is now a great temptation for people in London to hop onto a free bike and take a journey without the use of a safety helmet.”  Said GEM’s Chief Executive, David Williams MBE.  He continued: “Riding a bicycle is hazard enough in the suburbs or countryside, but London is a particularly dangerous place for cyclists, and no one should consider getting on a bicycle without adequate protection.”   

David continues, “I was shocked when a colleague mentioned they had been in London and had witnessed a high uptake of the Cycle Scheme but that many of cyclists spotted were not wearing helmets.”
 
“With one of our major sporting heroes currently recovering from a cycling accident, whose life and potentially devastating injury was saved purely by the fact he was wearing a helmet - we should take serious note and put our brains in gear before a bike,” said Mr Williams.
GEM has a free Guide to Safe Cycling booklet available offering tips, advice and information.