Dan Walker slams claims that bike helmets ‘aren’t important’ after headgear saved his life

The presenter said he was lucky to have survived his cycling crash on Monday

Dan Walker was stunned at being told that helmets aren’t important following his cycling accident

Dan Walker/Instagram

Dominique Hines22 February 2023

Dan Walker has hit back at naysayers who have insisted that bike helmets “aren’t important" following a recent cycling accident.

The TV presenter revealed that his bicycle crash with a car in Sheffield on Monday left him “battered and bruised”, but that wearing a helmet saved his life.

While there was an outpouring of support from fans, Walker, 45, has said some have gone against widely-known safety advice by telling him that wearing head protection wasn’t necessary.

After checking out of hospital, the Channel 5 presenter tweeted: “It’s odd to get lectured by people telling me that bike helmets aren’t important...

“The emergency services at the scene yesterday told me I probably wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t wearing one.

Walker inside a Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) with paramedics who told him his helmet saved his life

@mrdanwalker/Twitter

Walker continued: “Funny old world! I hope you’re having a good Tuesday. Soup through a straw for lunch.”

One fan echoed the sentiment, tweeting under the post: “I can’t believe the mentality about helmets. Why on earth wouldn’t you wear one!

“I know several people who only survived accidents by wearing a helmet. Glad you are on the mend!”

While another wrote: “Came off my bike years ago, split the helmet down the back – that would’ve been my skull. Lucky to only come away with a concussion and a scrape on my side.”

Following Walker’s accident, he was replaced on Monday’s Channel 5 News by Tessa Chapman, who wished him well.

Walker said he was “amazed” to have not broken any bones

dan walker/Instagram

Many of his former Strictly Come Dancing co-stars, including Rose Ayling-Ellis, Tom Fletcher, John Whaite and judge Motsi Mabuse, also shared their well-wishes.

Walker, who used to work on BBC Breakfast, had been rushed to hospital on Monday and said he was “amazed" to have not broken any bones.

“The helmet I was wearing saved my life today so, if you’re on a bike, get one on your head," he tweeted.

He also posted photos from inside a Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) vehicle alongside two members of staff.

He said he had been “blown away by all the lovely messages” he had received.