Bicycle helmet laws by country

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No legal restrictions
Some local laws apply
Children only; other local laws may also exist
Partial rules apply
Mandatory but no fines apply
Mandatory World helmet situation.png
  No legal restrictions
  Some local laws apply
  Children only; other local laws may also exist
  Partial rules apply
  Mandatory but no fines apply
  Mandatory

The wearing of bicycle helmets and attitudes towards their use vary around the world. The effects of compulsory use of helmets are disputed [1] (see Bicycle helmet laws). Four countries (Argentina, Cyprus, [2] Australia, and New Zealand) currently both require and enforce universal use of helmets by cyclists. Partial rules apply in some other jurisdictions, such as only for children (e.g. in France), in certain states or sub-national divisions (e.g. British Columbia in Canada), or under other limited conditions. [3]

Contents

History

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 [4] Mexico City has had mandatory cycle helmet laws repealed, and in Italy the Federazione Italiana Amici della Bicicletta managed to block a proposed helmet law.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] Cycling UK, the largest cycling advocacy organisation in the UK, has opposed mandatory wearing of helmets on the grounds that it should be a personal choice. [6] In 2002 an attempt was made to introduce bicycle helmet legislation in Poland but it was opposed by cyclists' organisations. [7]

Legislation by country

Bicycle helmet legislation
CountryAgeLast changeNotes
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina All2004Mandatory. [8] Fines are collected by the provinces.
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia All1990–92Compulsory for all ages in public spaces except for those older than 17 in the Northern Territory that are not using car carriageways (e.g: footpaths, cycle paths, trails). [9]
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 122011 [10]
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium None [11]
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil None1997
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada [note 1] [note 2] Legislation on the use of bicycle helmets originates from provincial and territorial legislation. As a result, laws surrounding the use of bicycle helmets varies across the provinces and territories of Canada.

The use of bicycle helmets is compulsory in the provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. [12] In the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, the use of helmets is mandatory for cyclists under the age of 18 years. [13] [14] [15] [16]

Use of a helmet is not mandatory in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. [17]

Flag of Chile.svg  Chile All2009Mandatory in urban zones and suggested in rural zones [18]
Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica All2012 [19] [20]
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 162011Mandatory for children below 16 only if riding on a road. [21]
Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus All2022Mandatory for everyone. [22]
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 182006 [7] [23]
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark None
Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 162011 [24]
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland None2003 [25] Not required, but recommended. [26]
Flag of France.svg  France 122017Mandatory for children below 12 year old (passenger or driver), fines apply [27]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany None
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong NoneIn 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." [28]
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary None2010Wearing a helmet increases the speed limit for bicycles outside populated areas from 40 km/h to 50 km/h. [29]
Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 151998Iceland has considered – but not pursued – extending its helmet law to adults. [30] [31] [32]
Flag of India.svg  India None
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland None [33]
Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man NoneCyclists "should" wear helmets, but they are not compulsory. [34]
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 182011Starting from 2011, only applies under 18 years of age, in interurban ways and during sport events. [35]
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy None
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 132008Article 63-11 of the Road Traffic Act requires that persons responsible for children under 13 must ensure that the children wear helmets. However, there is no penalty associated with this article. [36]
Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey 132014Failure to comply with the Law could result in a fine being issued. [37]
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 122014
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 102004Bicycles: Only under 10 year olds riding as passengers on an adult's bicycle are required to wear a helmet. [38]
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico None2010 Mexico City repealed mandatory helmet laws in 2010.
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia All [39]
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand All1993
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands None [40]
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway None [41]
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines None2021No requirement nationwide, but some cities such as Quezon City have helmet mandate laws, with non-compliance punishable with fines. [42]
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland None [7]
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal None2013No requirement
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia None2014No requirement (except for users of electric power-assisted bicycles with more than 250W engine or electric powered speed excess 25 km/h) [43]
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore All2018Since 2018, all cyclists (power-assisted or not) must wear a helmet.
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 15Only cyclists under 15 years of age (no fines apply) [44]
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 152000 [7]
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa All2004Compulsory for all cyclists but in practice the law is not enforced. No fine had been agreed. [45]
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 132006
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain All (interurban roads) /
16 (urban areas)
2015In urban areas helmet is only required for under 16 years old riders (Art. 47 of "Ley sobre Tráfico, Circulación de Vehículos a Motor y Seguridad Vial") [46]

The city of Mollet del Vallès in Catalonia has voted and approved in 2020 mandatory helmet to ride a bicycle for anyone of any age on local bylaw, quote of Art. 18 "Those who ride a bicycle on urban streets in Mollet del Vallès will have to use a helmet, whether they are older than legal age or minor." [47]

Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 152005No penalty for children cycling alone who do not obey the law. Also applies to Segway use. [48]
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland None [28]
Flag of Togo.svg  Togo All2013Mandatory helmet policy was enacted by the National Assembly of Togo, since 1975 but the enforcement by the National Police only started in Jun 2013 upon enactment of a new road code. [49] [50]
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  UAE All2010Dubai [30]
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine None
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom None [28] [51]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States [note 3] [note 4]
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay None2015 [52]

See also

Notes

  1. The federal Government of Canada has not passed any legislation regarding the use of bicycle helmets. Compulsory use of helmets for those of a certain age is dependent on the province/territory.
  2. Legislation on bicycle helmet use in Canada was passed by provincial/territorial governments, and not the federal government. 1995 was the last change to bicycle helmet-related legislation in New Brunswick, and Ontario; 1996 was the last change to bicycle helmet-related legislation in British Columbia; 1997 was the last change to bicycle helmet-related legislation in Nova Scotia; 2002 was the last change to bicycle helmet-related legislation in Alberta; 2003 was the last change to bicycle helmet-related legislation in Prince Edward Island; 2013 was the last change to bicycle helmet-related legislation in Manitoba; 2015 was the last change to bicycle helmet-related legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  3. The federal government of the United States has not passed any legislation over the use of bicycle helmets. Compulsory use of helmets for those of a certain age is dependent on local/state legislation.
  4. The federal government of the United States has not passed any legislation over the use of bicycle helmets. Legislation on bicycle helmet use in the United States are passed by local/state governments within the United States.

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Further reading