USE YOUR HEAD!
After cycle helmet ‘saved’ him, Cracknell goes without – then admits big mistake
AFTER he was struck by a petrol tanker and suffered a serious brain injury, James Cracknell insisted his cycling helmet had saved his life.
He called for helmets to be mandatory and said cycling bare-headed was as dangerous as drink-driving.
Yet the double Olympic gold medallist failed to follow his own advice as he cycled around Cambridge without any safety gear recently.
The 47-year-old went down a busy road without wearing a helmet. Not only that, but at one point he cycled on the pavement, which is punishable with a £ 0 on-the-spot fine.
In 2010, the rower, who is studying for a Master’s in human evolution at Cambridge, was hit by the wing mirror of a tanker travelling at 60mph on a road in Arizona. He suffered a fractured skull and bruising to his brain, spending ten days in a coma. He later said it was ‘selfish’ of riders not to wear a helmet.
The accident placed pressure on his marriage to TV presenter Beverley Turner, who nursed him back to health. The couple announced in March that they had split after 17 years of marriage.
Last night Cracknell said: ‘I was without my helmet for a few days after it was stolen from my bike but to be honest that’s not a good enough excuse.
‘I should have made alternative travel plans and put safety ahead of convenience. I would urge everyone to wear a helmet whenever riding a bike, however short a distance.’