Bicycle Helmet Uk Law

Industry helmet standards were developed from the 1970s and are still under development.

Bicycle helmet uk law. For obvious reasons it s a highly sensitive topic. Overview rules 59 to 71 rule 59. However it s obviously dangerous to cycle without one. Cycle helmet wearing in 2008 published by the uk department for transport shows that overall bicycle helmet wearing in the uk was 34 3 in 2008 up from 30 7 in 2006 and in line with a constant increase since 1994 when it was 16.

Secondly their behaviour may change as a consequence of wearing a helmet through risk compensation a phenomenon that has been documented in many fields. 4 5 one study albeit with a single author and subject suggests that drivers give larger clearance to cyclists without a helmet. Modern varieties of bicycle helmet first became commercially successful from 1975. Wearing a bicycle helmet is a precaution that many choose to ignore when going for a bike ride.

Helmets save lives so should obviously be mandatory say those who champion them. Law rvlr regs 13 18 24. Even before then there had been calls for riders to wear helmets based on the assumptions of high risk to cyclists and effectiveness of helmets in preventing serious injury. See also you and your bicycle.

Not by a long stretch. In terms of cycling laws uk riders do not have to wear a helmet by the law but that doesn t signal the end of the discussion. Uk bicycle laws explained. While bicycle helmets are not required to be worn by law in the united kingdom the british medical association advocates the compulsory use of helmets.

Cycling uk the largest cycling advocacy organisation in the uk consider helmet wearing as personal choice rather than being mandated by legislation. Safety laws and regulations vary according to country but the uk has not made any law regulating bicycle helmet safety. Even if helmets could prevent all cyclist injuries including non head injuries a uk helmet law would only have to reduce the level of cycle use by about 4 7 to shorten more lives through inactivity than helmets themselves could possible save. Firstly they may not wear the helmet correctly seeking only to comply with the law and avoid a fine.

Attempts to either force or pressure cyclists to wear helmets elsewhere have led to reductions in cycle use which is detrimental to public health given the substantial health benefits of cycling. There s no law which compels cyclists of any age to wear a helmet.