CYCLISTS in Worcestershire are being urged to wear safety helmets following two incidents in Kidderminster in which riders were injured in road collisions.

In the first incident a 55-year-old man sustained a head injury and a cut lip when the bicycle he was riding was in collision with a car at 5.20pm last Wednesday, near Tesco Express in Stourport Road. The cyclist was taken to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital but not detained.

At around the same time the following day a 14-year-old youth was hurt when his bike was in collision with a car at Stretton Road's junction with Poplar Road. He was also taken to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital with a head injury and went home after being detained overnight.

PC Stuart Baugh, of Kidderminster police, said; "Fortunately the cyclists were not seriously injured in these incidents but the outcome could have been a lot worse, particularly as neither was wearing a safety helmet.

"Many of the injuries suffered by cyclists in road collisions are injuries to the face and head and these can be much less serious of avoided altogether if a helmet is worn. Riding a bike is normally a healthy and convenient way to get about but we want cyclists to stay safe and cannot stress enough the importance of wearing a helmet.

"They are relatively inexpensive and advice on fitting them properly is offered by many of the stores that sell them."