No Mandatory Helmets

CTC has long campaigned against mandatory helmet use. Campaigners and politicians perenially attempt to make their name by proposing legislation to force people to wear helmets. CTC aims to prevent these moves by explaining the damage such legislation may bring.

Since the health benefits of cycling outweigh the benefits by around 20:1 (one recent study put it at 77:1) if compulsion to wear helmets reduces cycle use only slightly, the negative effect on public health will be vastly higher than any benefit helmets could ever provide.

Over the years there have been several attempts to make helmets compulsory. CTC has fought such measures where they have been considered by legislators, schools and employers.

In 2010 a Bill to make helmets compulsory in Northern Ireland was proposed by Pat Ramsey MLA. CTC and Sustrans lobbied against the Bill, including giving evidence to the relevant Committee. The Bill was eventually dropped in 2011 after the level of opposition became clear.

CTC will continue to guard against similar proposals and act to block legislative proposals when they arise.