Wearing a helmet when cycling can save hundreds of lives

• During the past five years, 768 Czech cyclists have died and 4,168 have been severely injured
• A cyclist without a helmet is exposed to a 19 times higher risk of death than if wearing a helmet; children are among the most at risk
• This year, an accident prevention day takes place in fourteen cities

Prague, 26 April 2005 - Children are the most vulnerable road users. Every year, around three and a half thousand children under 15 suffer injury in connection with traffic accidents, which is approximately 145 full primary school classes. Over the past five years alone, 768 Czech cyclists have died, 4,168 have been severely injured and 21,796 have suffered minor injuries. Severe injuries often involve severe head injuries and head injuries are the cause for 75% of all deaths.

As the world-renowned cyclist Erik Zabel, a member of the professional T-Mobile Team, says to his nine-year son Rick: "Protect your head, you've got only one," and adds: "A helmet is the best life insurance for a cyclist. Everybody should try it out thoroughly first. The helmet must fit properly and must not be able to move back and forth on the head. If it sits too high on the forehead, it does not protect the cyclist's head correctly. And make sure the strap is securely fastened under your chin!"
Statistics show that a cyclist without a helmet undergoes a 19 times higher risk then a cyclist wearing one. Protective helmets can prevent 83% of skull fractures, 53% of injuries to the soft parts of the head and 48% of brain injuries. Children aged 6-14 are among those most at risk. At this age, they learn to be independent, ride the bike in a risky way, do not watch out. A helmet, which is not unaffordable, can literally save their lives in many cases! The parts most frequently injured in children after a fall from a bike are: head - 44%), arms - 27%, abdomen - 6%, knees - 23%.

"T-Mobile provides long-term support for cyclists, not only via the international T-Mobile Team which fights for victory at Tour de France and other races every year. We realize that we also have to help those who cycle for fun. When I go on a bike ride in summer and I see children cyclists, I often notice that many of them are not wearing a helmet. Their parents thus take a risk that is inexcusable and hard to understand. That's why we, in cooperation with the Extended Hand (Podaná ruka) foundation and the Helmet Fits Better than a Bandage programme, will tour 14 Czech towns and cities. Even if we saved just a single life this way, it is worth doing it," says Jiří Hájek, Vice President Corporate Communication at T-Mobile Czech Republic a.s.
The Extended Hand foundation has been cooperating with T-Mobile for two years. Every year, it organizes an information campaign called "Childhood Without Injuries". The programme includes a wide range of educational activities for children as well as their families, schools and interest groups. The campaign starts on 4 May in Uherské Hradiště and will continue in 14 towns and cities this spring.

Date	Town
4 May	Uherské Hradiště
5 May	Hodonín
10 May	Strakonice
12 May	Beroun
17 May	Pelhřimov
19 May	Hradec Králové
24 May	Teplice
26 May	Kladno
7 June	Jičín
9 June	Nymburk
14 June	Brno
16 June	Havlíčkův Brod
21 June	Pardubice
23 June	Kolín

For more information, visit http://www.detstvibezurazu.cz, www.chytrejsivyhrava.cz

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.