Shoddy head gear is putting motorcycle riders' lives at risk, a local doctor has claimed.

Orthopaedic surgeon Joseph Froncioni called for more vigorous safety standards and rounded on rental bike companies for handing out flimsy helmets.

But livery cycle companies hit back saying their headgear is approved by the Transport Control Department (TCD) and meets international safety standards.

Dr. Froncioni is a member of the Road Safety Council, but stressed he was speaking to The Royal Gazette in a personal capacity.

He said: "Unlike the car driver, the rider is completely uncovered.

"The only protective equipment is the helmet and we are having a lot of problems with appropriate quality in Bermuda. There's the flimsy helmet offered by the livery cycle companies which I don't believe give adequate protection in the event of a crash.

"I am really not sure they meet any safety standards. If they do it's very, very low safety standards.'' And Dr. Froncioni said livery cycle drivers were at greater risk of crashing because they were often ridden by tourists unused to handling mopeds.

He said poor quality headgear was causing extra injuries.

"I would say there are hundreds and hundreds per year. There are many patients who have minor injuries, not serious enough to be admitted to the ICU, but they are still potentially serious.

"The sad thing is that head injuries, in a country with a 35 kilometre per hour speed limit and the per capita income is quite respectable, should be nearly completely preventable with high quality helmets which are worn properly.

"There are very few effective quality standards in Bermuda at the moment. It is something the Road Safety Council is addressing.

"We're dealing with a whole bunch of stakeholders -- the livery cycles companies, the bike and helmet retailers. We need to establish an accepted standard.'' He said British, European Union or American Department of Transport standards would all be suitable.

"We have a meeting planned with a number of stake holders to exchange views and come to an agreement on how to protect the public. "Eventually TCD will take that under their wing and when they approve your bike yearly, they will also look at your helmet to find out if it is a good helmet and it's in good condition.'' But the livery cycle companies mounted a strong defence of their helmets.

Wheels Ltd. President David Panchaud said all his helmets had passed international safety standards.

He said: "They have all been approved by TCD. I don't see how we can do much better.'' And Oleander Cycles General Manager Geoffrey Gibbons took a similar view.

However Dr. Froncioni's stand appeared to have the support of Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown.

He said: "Dr. Froncioni has made a tremendous contribution to road safety initiatives and I believe the Road Safety Council has sent out a request regarding helmets calling for more stringent standards.

`Flimsy helmets' warning "If that is going to reduce danger for motorists then the Ministry will support that.'' Dr. Froncioni also said Bermuda's strong sunlight meant helmets quickly deteriorated.

He said: "We know that the protective characteristics of a helmet are subject to environmental and mechanical damage. We know that ultra violet light degrades the hydrocarbon shell of the helmet.

"So the life expectancy of a helmet in a sunny place like Bermuda should only be three years. You won't see the change but microscopically there is breakdown in the plastic molecules.

"In the labs it's shown that these helmets will fail. They will fracture after ultra violet degradation.

"Even putting stickers or paint on your helmet can reduce the effectiveness of your helmet.

"Any time you drop your helmet from anything higher than waist height you are damaging your helmet. You are causing micro fractures which you may not see but the day you hit the pavement your helmet may fail.'' Tomorrow, Road Safety Officer Roxanne Christopher reveals radical plans to cut the drink-driving limit.

HEALTH HTH