Whether to wear a cycle helmet or not has been in the national media twice in the last week (mid June 2024).

Both this article in the Guardian, reporting on ongoing debate in the Netherlands, and this article from the BBC concerning a well-known media personalty's accident while cycling in the USA, have given rise yet again to discussions as to whether cycle helmets should be compulsory.

Cycling UK has a number of interesting articles on this issue on its website  including here.

In the UK, the DfT took this position in 2018, following the publication of its "Response to Call for Evidence on Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Safety Review (2018)

Section 8 c)

8.10 "Evidence on the impact of mandating helmets is mixed, with some evidence suggesting legislation provides safety benefits134 but other evidence indicating that any apparent safety benefits may be a result of reduced participation in cycling rather than of a reduced risk to cyclists.135
8.11 Therefore, we will continue to encourage cyclists, especially children, to wear helmets to protect them if they have a road collision. However, we believe wearing helmets, and also high-vis clothing, should remain a matter of individual choice rather than imposing additional regulations which would be difficult to enforce. We will review evidence and international experience on mandatory helmets for children and provide clear guidance to help parents choose what is appropriate for their child."

The full report in pdf format can be found here ...