Cage the cyclists

Following all the recent publicity advocating the environmental and health benefits of cycling — with some companies supporting and actively encouraging employees to bike to work — it is crucial that we in the UK make sure cyclists are protected and as safe as possible on our roads.

Apart from renegade motorists and van drivers, a cyclist's worst enemies are the many potholes and smooth, slippery manhole covers that litter our highways.

In Bristol a trial of better (rough) covers is taking place that aims to obviate the sudden change/reduction of friction which can prove disastrous to cyclists — especially on bends and roundabouts.

It will obviously take some time for the tests to be completed and all the manhole covers replaced. Meanwhile, there is surely room for the development of a lightweight, motorcycle-style full-face cage helmet.

After all, road cycling is the only form of transport where you travel at 12-15mph with your face unprotected and run the risk of falling 1.5m or so above ground level. Motorcyclists wear full-shell helmets that are too heavy for cyclists.

Is there not an engineer out there who can invent such a helmet to protect cyclists?