ADULT cyclists are setting a bad example to children by not wearing helmets, an Oxford community police officer has warned.

PCSO Natasha Medlin spoke at the launch of a campaign set to reward youngsters seen wearing helmets, with a goody bag.

She said: “Adults are pretty bad, I hardly ever seen one wearing a helmet. They need to be alert to the dangers and educate their children.

“A lot of kids look up to the adults as role models. If they are not wearing a helmet then that’s not good.”

Convincing older children to wear helmets was the biggest challenge, she said.

Thames Valley Police and staff will hand out the bags, provided on behalf of the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust and backed by Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service.

Youngsters will get a pen, advice about wearing a helmet and the chance to enter a free prize draw to win a games console and digital camera.

The scheme was launched in Bury Knowle Park, Headington on Tuesday.

Katie Rayner, whose 11-year-old son Joe will start cycling to Cherwell School, North Oxford, in September, said: “As parents we should wear them as it sets a good example.”

The Summertown resident, also mum to Stanley, nine, said: “Making sure they develop a good habit of wearing a helmet is another way of keeping them safe.”

Headington dad Rami El-Shirbiny, 36, said he and wife Francine had taught children Zak, eight, Skye, six, and Solomon, four, about helmet use from an early age.

Mr El-Shirbiny said: “It is a rule. When we bought Zak a bike we bought a helmet with it on the understanding that wearing it is non-negotiable.”

Wendy Jennings, a road safety officer with the fire authority, said: “The weight of evidence is that they will reduce the severity of a head and brain injury.”

Judith Heathcoat, council cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: “The goody bags will commend children who wear cycle helmets, often in the face of pressure from their peers.”