- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
news
White cycle helmetSwiss MPs reject helmet law
Swiss MPs have voted overwhelmingly against making cycling helmets mandatory for children under 14, saying that it was an issue for ‘personal responsibility’.
As part of the debate over road law revisions, MPs voted 136 to 46 against the requirement.
The opposition to the move, made up of representatives from across the political spectrum, noted that 70 per cent of children already wear helmets.
Transport Minister Doris Leuthard disagreed however. She told World Radio Switzerland: “It is not that we think parents won’t pay attention to kids, and thus put this helmet rule in place. Every head injury we can prevent makes this regulation worth it.”
Australia and New Zealand began to implement helmet laws for all cyclists in 1990 and 1994 respectively. A survey in New Zealand earlier this year suggested that helmet requirements had halved the number of cyclists on the road.
Latest Comments
- chrisonabike 4 sec ago
FWIW my take is that "where driving is easy, Brits drive" (borrowing Carlton Reid). People assess the relative ease and attractiveness of journeys...
- thax1 42 min 41 sec ago
Not quite long enough for him to have a think about what he'd like to say on stage when collecting the award apparently. Which you have to love him...
- LeisureRider 46 min 17 sec ago
As an amply-figured female leisure cyclist, the comfort of a slightly downward angled saddle has long been known for avoidance of mincing one's...
- Rendel Harris 49 min 32 sec ago
There is a plethora of research available that demonstrates that harsher sentencing has no positive effect on crime levels, indeed it may even have...
- stonojnr 1 hour 23 min ago
Certainly membership trippled in numbers between 2012 to 2019.i think it's been in decline since so theydon't tend to shout about the numbers...
- OnYerBike 2 hours 7 min ago
The Sora groupset seems very expensive for what it is. Even without going down the AliExpress route, you can get 11spd 105 for £360 (https://www...
- bikes 2 hours 15 min ago
Driving culture in a nutshell. Dangerous and with tiny/nonexistent penalties. ...
- hawkinspeter 2 hours 20 min ago
I like the way that it can collect water in the wrong places and so putting it through a car wash invalidates the warranty.
- mdavidford 2 hours 23 min ago
You're overlooking the 'lifting it out of the shed' factor, though.
- hawkinspeter 2 hours 21 min ago
I'd say that Mogg Street is more likely used by cyclists who opt for the bridge over the M32 rather than the underpasses as opposed to trying to...
Add new comment
12 comments
I remember the three stooges whinging about "stupid laws aimed at motorists" on top gear once whilst driving through Switzerland now reading about this decision regarding cycle helmets I can only conclude that they must be the most sensible people around.
As a Swiss, I have to concur.
I remember the three stooges whinging about "stupid laws aimed at motorists" on top gear once whilst driving through Switzerland now reading about this decision regarding cycle helmets I can only conclude that they must be the most sensible people around.
Cuckoo ...
Do they mandate seatbelts, whether in cars or aircraft?
Seatbelts in cars, but not helmets. Not sure about aircraft.
Good call as it will increase participation...but hemets are still compulsory on our holidays up in the Alps
Another company who don't want my money.
I think it is rather older in most of Europe, including Switzerland - you can't prosecute below 14.
There might of course be a liability falling on the parents, but how would that work? "I told the little blighter to wear his helmet, but does he listen?"
I don't know how the rules stand in Switzerland BUT one of the problems with introducing compulsory helmet laws for children is that it is difficult, or sometimes impossible, to enforce laws against minors. In the UK, anyone under the age of 10 cannot commit a criminal offence. Therefore, if this rule was in place here, you could get a ticket, just tear it up and nothing would happen. Brilliant!
Switzerland, the land of common sense.
And cheese. Don't forget the cheese.