Most people who are seriously injured in bicycle accidents have suffered the accident while cycling around town. In addition, both in the city and on the highways, head injuries are equally common in cases of serious or very serious injuries. For these reasons, it is very important to wear a helmet when cycling around town, even if it is not required, to protect our head and reduce the risk of serious injury.

In Spain, the regulation on the mandatory use of a bicycle helmet varies according to age and the specific situation. Therefore, to find out if the use of a helmet on a bicycle in the city is mandatory, the age of the person riding the bicycle must be taken into account as the main factor.

In Europe, each country has its own legislation. But for the moment, only Finland has made it compulsory for adult cyclists to wear a helmet throughout its territory. 13 countries have made it compulsory for children to wear helmets: Czech Republic and Lituania until the age of 18,  Spain, Estonia and Croatia until the age of 16, Slovenia, Slovakia and Sweden until the age of 15, France, Latvia and Austria until the age of 12, and  Malta until the age of 10

Where is it mandatory to wear a bike helmet ?

In most countries, wearing a helmet is not mandatory in any capacity. However, some countries have actually moved to make helmet use compulsory for bikers, including Australia, New Zealand, Namibia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Cyprus, Singapore and Japan.

Benefits of using an approved helmet when cycling in the city

The use of a helmet when cycling around the city, apart from using it if it is mandatory in our case, also provides a series of benefits, such as:

Protection against possible accidents

In the event of an unfortunate accident, it provides an extra layer of head protection. Helps absorb and disperse impact, reducing the risk of serious head and brain injury.

Prevention of head injuries

It is specifically designed to prevent serious head injuries in the event of an accident. Helps minimize the risk of concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

Increased road safety

It promotes a culture of road safety, since by using it, cyclists set an example for other road users and contribute to creating a safer environment for all.

Trust and tranquility

It provides confidence and peace of mind to the cyclist knowing that they have adequate protection in the event of an accident. Consequently, its use can increase the feeling of safety when driving around the city, not only in cases where the use of a helmet on a bike around the city is mandatory.

Regulatory compliance

In some cases, such as the one named in this article, for those under 16 years of age in the city, the use of a bike helmet is mandatory in Spain. By wearing a helmet, you will be complying with these regulations and avoiding possible penalties.

Conclusion: compulsory bicycle helmet by city

Although it is not mandatory, to improve protections for all riders, at Shad Bikes we recommend that people always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle around the city, and that municipalities make their infrastructure as “bicycle-friendly and as safe as possible.”