The wearing of bicycle helmets, and attitudes towards their use vary around the world. Compulsory use of helmets has often been proposed and is the subject of much dispute (see Bicycle helmet laws), based largely on consdierations of overall public health. Only two countries (Australia and New Zealand) currently require and enforce universal use of helmets by cyclists. In some other jurisdictions, partial rules apply - for children, in certain states or sub-national areas, or under other limited conditions.[1]
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Denmark and the Netherlands have a strong cycling culture and have amongst the lowest levels of helmet use.[2]
In European Union countries the European Directive 89/686/EC sets the standards for bicycle helmets.[3]
Australia was the first country to enact mandatory bicycle helmet use for all cyclists.[4] Mexico City has had mandatory cycle helmet laws repealed, and in Italy the Federazione Italiana Amici della Bicicletta managed to block a proposed helmet law.[5] While bicycle helmets are not required to be worn by law in the United Kingdom the British Medical Association advocates for the compulsory use of helmets.[6] Cyclists' Touring Club, the largest cycling advocacy organisation in the UK, consider helmet wearing as personal choice rather than being mandated by legislation.[7] In 2002 an attempt was made to introduce bicycle helmet legislation in Poland but it was opposed by cyclists' organisations.[8]
| Country | Date enacted | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1989 |
See also: Bicycle helmets in Australia
|
| Canada |
1995 - New Brunswick |
In 2007 the Saskatoon city council voted against mandatory helmet use.[9] |
| Czech Republic | Under 15 years of age only.[8] Revised to under 18 with effect from July 2006.[10] | |
| Croatia | 2008 | Under 16 years of age only.[11] |
| Finland | 2003 | Not enforced (no fine). |
| France | No requirement | [12] |
| Germany | No requirement | [12] |
| Hong Kong | No requirement | In 2009, Transport Secretary announced that government had no intention of introducing mandatory helmet law, based partly on "international views that a mandatory requirement may lead to a reduction in cycling activities."[12] |
| Iceland | 1998 | Under 15 years of age only.[13] Iceland has considered - but not pursued - extending its helmet law to adults.[14] |
| Israel | 2007 | Not enforced.[5] Starting from 2011, only applies under 18 years of age, in interurban ways and during sport events. |
| Italy | No requirement | |
| Japan | 2008 | Under 13 years age only.[13] |
| Malta | 2004 | |
| Mexico | Mexico City repealed mandatory helmet laws in 2010. | |
| New Zealand | 1993 |
See also: Bicycle helmets in New Zealand
|
| Poland | No requirement | [8] |
| Portugal | 2004 | As of 2005 a time frame for application of the legislation had not been developed.[8] |
| Singapore | Only power-assisted bicycle on a road[12] [15] | |
| Slovenia | 2000 | Under 15 years of age only.[8] |
| South Africa | 2004 | Compulsory for all cyclists but in practice the law is not enforced. No fine had been agreed. |
| South Korea | 2006 | Under 13 years of age only |
| Spain | 2004 | Required on interurban routes except when going uphill or in very hot weather, or for professional cyclists.[8][16] |
| Sweden | 2005 | Only applicable to children under 15 years old. No penalty for children cycling alone who do not obey the law. Also applies to Segway use.[17] |
| Switzerland | No requirement | [12] |
| UAE | 2010 - Dubai | [13] |
| United Kingdom | No requirement | [12] |
| United States | Varies | Varies by jurisdiction and by age of cyclist. 21 states and the District of Columbia have statewide mandatory helmet laws, either for children or for all ages.[18] 29 US states have no statewide law, and 13 of these states have no such laws in any lower-level jurisdiction either.[19] More details here [1] |