Bradley Wiggins wades into debate on compulsory bike helmets

A day after becoming Britain's most successful Olympian of all time, Bradley Wiggins has today suggested that cyclists should be made to wear bike helmets while cycling.

He also said there should be laws to enforce the use of lights and to deter against using iPods or phones while cycling.

His comments came during a press conference this morning when he was asked for his reaction to the death of a cyclist who was involved in a collision with a bus on a London road last night.

Cycling safety charities and commentators immediately leapt on his comments, with many describing them as "unhelpful" and even "damaging".

The London mayor Boris Johnson, who introduced the Barclay's Cycle Hire scheme in the city, said today that the evidence for the benefits of bike helmets is mixed. He said he had no plans to make them compulsory.

Chris Peck, the head of policy at the national cycling charity CTC, was quoted as saying:

AA president Edmund King, who is a keen cyclist, said he disagreed with Wiggins on the helmet issue but welcomed his comments about iPods and phones:

Wiggins later clarified his position, saying he never demanded a change in law: