Plastics saves lives

During July 2010, whilst taking part in an endurance cycling event in America, Olympic gold medal winning rower James Cracknell was hit on the back of his head by the wing mirror of a truck travelling at 70 mph.
 
He was knocked off his bike; the damage to his brain changed his personality. His injuries were so severe that if he hadn't have been wearing one vital piece of equipment he would be dead. This piece of equipment is highly controversial many cycling races including the Tour de France insist on it being used and yet you see many cyclists on the road without one.

What saved James' life? A small piece of shock absorbing plastic - a simple piece of moulded expanded polystyrene - watch this video of James telling his own story to find out more:



Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)