Bicycle Helmet Laws by Country 2025
Country↑ | Required Age | Most Recent Change | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 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). |
 | Austria | 12 | 2011 | |
 | Belgium | None | ||
 | Brazil | None | 1997 | |
 | Canada | Laws vary by province and territory. Helmets are compulsory in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Helmets are mandatory for cyclists under the age of 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. Helmets are not required 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 all riders. |
 | 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 | ||
 | 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 | 13 | 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. |
 | 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 | ||
 | Netherlands | None | ||
 | New Zealand | All | 1993 | |
 | 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 | |
 | 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 | 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) | ||
 | 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. |
 | Ukraine | None | ||
 | United Arab Emirates | All | 2010 | |
 | United Kingdom | None | ||
 | United States | 21 states and the District of Columbia have statewide mandatory helmet laws for children. 29 US states have no statewide law, and 13 of these states have no such laws in any lower-level jurisdiction either. | ||
 | Uruguay | None | 2015 |
Bicycle helmets are synonymous with safety - making them a no-brainer to most cycling enthusiasts. However, they’re often not the most stylish accessory, leading others to shun this potentially life-saving gear.
As opinions on helmets vary from person to person, so do they vary from country to country - sometimes significantly. Some nations enforce strict regulations, while others are content to “let it ride,” so to speak.
Read on to learn how different countries handle the issue.
Strict Helmet Regulations
Argentina, Cyprus, Australia, and New Zealand are the only countries that require and enforce cyclists to wear helmets.
Australia and New Zealand led the pack, enacting mandatory bicycle helmet laws in the early 90’s. Argentina followed suit in 2004, while Cyprus’ 2022 law makes them the most recent addition to the club.
Partial Helmet Laws
No, we’re not saying you only have to wear part of a helmet in these countries. Instead, their helmet laws apply only to specific individuals or places.
For instance, helmets are only mandatory in France for children under age 12. Canada’s approach is geographically fragmented, with the provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia requiring all cyclists to wear helmets. Meanwhile, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario only require riders under 18 to wear helmets.
Helmet laws in the United States are incredibly complex, varying according to state and a rider’s age. Some states have statewide laws around helmet use, while others have only local laws or laws for minors. Still other states have no laws around helmet use.
There is no nationwide requirement in the Philippines, but Quezon City has its own helmet laws.
No Helmet Laws
Countries like Denmark and Finland do not require helmets but recommend their use. Mexico City repealed its mandatory helmet laws in 2010 to align it with the rest of Mexico.
There are no helmet laws in the United Kingdom, though various organizations are debating their effectiveness in saving lives. Cycling UK believes helmet-wearing should be a personal choice, while the British Medical Association advocates compulsory helmet use.
The Bottom Line
Helmet use is estimated to reduce the odds of head injury by 50% and the odds of head, face, or neck injury by 33%. So whether your country requires helmets or not, it’s always a bright idea to wear one.
