Mayo councillor won't support bike scheme that doesn't include helmets

A WESTPORT councillor has washed his hands of a bicycle scheme that doesn't include helmets.

Lime bikes have already been rolled out in Castlebar and there are plans to have a similar scheme in Westport.

However, Councillor Christy Hyland is unhappy that you can use the bikes without helmets.

He raised the matter at a meeting of Mayo County Council, saying he was concerned that they would promoting people to go cycling without a helmet.

There were, he continued, three local bike hire businesses who insist on customers wearing helmets. But as a local authority, they would be encouraging people not to.

He stated: “I will have no hand, act or part in that.”

Castlebar Councillor Ger Deere said he had tried to introduce a policy that made helmets mandatory but was told it was a national issue and it was defeated.