Bicycle helmet laws by country



The wearing of bicycle helmets and attitudes towards their use vary around the world. The effects of compulsory use of helmets are disputed (see Bicycle helmet laws). Four countries (Argentina, Cyprus, 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.

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 Mexico City has had mandatory cycle helmet laws repealed, and in Italy the Federazione Italiana Amici della Bicicletta managed to block a proposed helmet law.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.