Question reference: S6W-02763
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 13 September 2021
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Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to promote the wearing of helmets by cyclists.
Answer
The wearing of a cycle helmet is not a requirement in the UK and remains a matter of personal choice.
The wearing of cycle helmets is covered by the Highway Code and is a matter reserved to the UK Government, however the Scottish Government is committed to improving the safety of vulnerable road users including cyclists. Scotland’s Road Safety Framework endorses the Highway Code, which recommends that cyclists wear a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened.
Many local authorities’ operating procedures insist on the use of helmets during Bikeability cycle training in schools. In others, it is left as a parental decision, in line with the absence of a legal requirement to wear a helmet when cycling.