The experience of cyclist Oliver Adams will add weight to the arguments that cycle helmets should be made compulsory in Britain.

He was struck by a car in Oxford and knocked across the road into the path of a car driven by neurologist Dr Sandeep Jayawant.

He is convinced that his helmet saved his life.

Not surprisingly, he is now calling for legislation to make all cyclists wear them.

Although there may be some occasions when helmets can increase the risk of injury, there appears to be a growing belief that these cases are very much in a minority, and that more lives will be saved if helmets are worn.

However, we must guard against giving cyclists a false sense of security.

A helmet will give only limited protection in the majority of accidents.

Good training, alertness on the road and obeying the law will, in most cases, be more of a guarantee of escaping death or injury.