# Bicycle helmet laws by country

Laws concerning the wearing of bicycle helmets vary around the world, (see Bicycle helmet laws). Five countries (Argentina, Cyprus, Australia, Namibia, 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.
The effects of compulsory use of helmets are disputed.

## History

Australia was the first country to enact mandatory bicycle helmet use for all cyclists. Mexico City has had mandatory cycle helmet laws repealed, and in Italy the Federazione Italiana Amici della Bicicletta managed to block a proposed helmet law. 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. In 2002 an attempt was made to introduce bicycle helmet legislation in Poland but it was opposed by cyclists' organisations.

## Legislation by country

Bicycle helmet legislation :
| Country | Age | Last change | Notes |
| Argentina | All | 2004 | Mandatory. Fines are collected by the provinces. |
| Australia | All | 1990–92 | Compulsory 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).Main article: Bicycle helmets in Australia |
| Austria | 12 | 2011 | |
| Belgium | None | | |
| Brazil | None | 1997 | |
| Canada | | | 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. In the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, the use of helmets is mandatory for cyclists under the age of 18 years. Use of a helmet is not mandatory in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. |
| Chile | All | 2009 | Mandatory in urban zones and suggested in rural zones |
| Costa Rica | All | 2012 | |
| Croatia | 16 | 2011 | Mandatory for children below 16 only if riding on a road. |
| Cyprus | All | 2022 | Mandatory for everyone. |
| Czech Republic | 18 | 2006 | |
| Denmark | None | | |
| Estonia | 16 | 2011 | |
| Finland | None | 2003 | Not required, but recommended. |
| France | 12 | 2017 | Mandatory for children below 12 year old (passenger or driver), fines apply |
| Germany | None | | |
| Hong Kong | None | | 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." |
| Hungary | None | 2010 | Wearing a helmet increases the speed limit for bicycles outside populated areas from 40 km/h to 50 km/h. |
| Iceland | 15 | 1998 | Iceland has considered – but not pursued – extending its helmet law to adults. |
| India | None | | Helmets recommended but not required. Recommendations vary by police departments. |
| Ireland | None | | |
| Isle of Man | None | | Cyclists "should" wear helmets, but they are not compulsory. |
| Israel | 18 | 2011 | Starting from 2011, only applies under 18 years of age, in interurban ways and during sport events. |
| Italy | None | | |
| Japan | All | 2023 | Enacted in 2008, Article 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. Starting April 1, 2023, all individuals must make a "duty of effort" to wear a helmet. There is no penalty for not wearing a helmet. |
| Jersey | 13 | 2014 | Failure to comply with the Law could result in a fine being issued. |
| Latvia | 12 | 2014 | |
| Malta | 10 | 2004 | Bicycles: Only under 10 year olds riding as passengers on an adult's bicycle are required to wear a helmet. |
| Mexico | None | 2010 | Mexico City repealed mandatory helmet laws in 2010. |
| Namibia | All | | |
| New Zealand | All | 1993 | Main article: Bicycle helmets in New Zealand |
| Netherlands | None | | |
| Norway | None | | |
| Philippines | None | 2021 | No requirement nationwide, but some cities such as Quezon City have helmet mandate laws, with non-compliance punishable with fines. |
| Poland | None | | |
| Portugal | None | 2013 | No requirement |
| Russia | None | 2014 | No requirement (except for users of electric power-assisted bicycles with more than 250W engine or electric powered speed excess 25 km/h) |
| Singapore | All | 2018 | Since 2018, all cyclists (power-assisted or not) must wear a helmet. |
| Slovakia | 15 | | Only cyclists under 15 years of age (no fines apply) |
| Slovenia | 15 | 2000 | |
| South Africa | All | 2004 | Compulsory for all cyclists but in practice the law is not enforced. No fine had been agreed. |
| South Korea | 13 | 2006 | |
| Spain | All (interurban roads) / 16 (urban areas) | 2015 | In 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") 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." |
| Sweden | 15 | 2005 | No penalty for children cycling alone who do not obey the law. Also applies to Segway use. |
| Switzerland | None | | |
| Togo | All | 2013 | Mandatory 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. |
| UAE | All | 2010 | Dubai |
| Ukraine | None | |
| United Kingdom | None | | |
| United States | | | Main article: Bicycle helmets in the United States |
| Uruguay | None | 2015 | |