A demonstration against the obligatory wearing of helmets while bicycling, a key measure in the National Road Safety Strategic Plan, is scheduled for 10am this Sunday in Lisbon.
Cycling associations disagree on the mandatory use of the helmet and the government now is saying that the use of helmets by cyclists was ‘just a proposal’ having seen the number of votes it could lose by pushing through an unpopular measure.
The Secretary of State for Internal Affairs, Jorge Gomes, seems to be in the firing line over this proposal and said today that the government is studying the helmet issue and that it may not be included in the final document.
The Portuguese Cycling Federation of Bicycle Users has been commenting on the National Road Safety Strategic Plan. There has been a total of 300 comment and proposals from individuals and road safety organisations, many of which will be incorporated in the final document before it heads off to the Council of Ministers.
Jorge Gomes said the government intends to study whether the use of helmets by cyclists "will have any positive effect," but expresses personal doubts.
As for the planned protest by those most likely to suffer head injuries in bicycle accidents, and most keen to see the proposal ditched, the Secretary of State said the demonstration shows that citizens are reading the proposals and that the contributions have been good.
"If the proposal was made into a law that we considered to be perfect, we would not put it up for public discussion. We want citizens to participate, to give their input, to analyze and decide the best way forward," said Gomes.
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