All-ages legislation for Iceland?
Iceland considered extending its child cycle helmet law to
include cyclists of all ages but subsequently decided to take no further action. This page shows some of the factors that a well-informed decision needed to take into consideration.
Click here to view the criteria that need to be met in
order to justify a helmet law. They apply equally to extending a law to
embrace a wider range of cyclists.
To satisfy the criteria, the following evidence should be demonstrated with
specific reference to circumstances in Iceland:
- Evidence that cycling is especially dangerous. In other countries, people
who cycle regularly have been shown to live longer and to suffer less ill-health
than non-cyclists, which cannot mean that cyclists are at exceptional risk.
- Evidence that cycling is significantly more likely to result in head injury
than other common activities (e.g. walking, motoring, sport).
- Evidence that the cycle helmets available in Iceland are capable of
mitigating serious injury. The current European standard, EN1078, has been
criticised for the low level of protection it prescribes, yet many helmets
designed to the standard do not meet it. Read more
- Evidence that helmet laws have worked elsewhere. There is much evidence on
cyclehelmets.org to suggest otherwise. See: Helmet
laws: What has been their effect?
- Evidence that helmets are more effective than other possible interventions.
The priorities of risk management are: first, reduce risk at source; then reduce
exposure to risk; finally if all else fails, apply personal protective
equipment. Have these priorities been followed?
- Evidence that an extended law would be free of unintended consequences,
such as a reduction in cycling (and consequence health disbenefits) or a
propensity to take more risks (as has been found in some other countries).
