Bicycling is one of the most popular ways of traveling for many Europeans on a daily basis. For example, in the Netherlands, where residents often choose the bike, when going to school, work – or even share a bike when heading home from the bar. However, most of the population never wears a helmet – and if you do? They will probably not see you as a local ‘Dutchie’. 

Europe is a continent with many different cycling cultures. From the The Alps in France to the flat lands in the Netherlands – you can see the bicycle being used. However, something that also varies greatly across the continent is helmet usage. 

Some countries in Europe have a high use of the headwear in general, but in the Netherlands, as of now, there is no legislation – while the country has one of the lowest rates of people wearing helmets in Europe with only 3%. 

Prioritizing the General Health  

The Dutch people are famous for their cycling culture – Featuring roads specifically for two–wheelers, crowds of cyclists in rush hours in cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht, and almost no helmets in sight. Wim Bot, who is international policy advisor from Fietsersbond, the Dutch Cyclists’ Union, is proud of the biking culture in the Netherlands. 

“Cycling is more popular than ever, and we have a very good cycling culture supported by excellent infrastructure,” he says. 

Although the Dutch people have tradition of safe bike lanes and experienced cyclists from a young age – the bicycle helmet has no isolated place in the Dutch culture, where it is mostly seniors or tourist that tends to use the headgear. 

“It is not common that you have a bike helmet – and it is also not popular. It is not a part of our tradition,” says Wim Bot. 

He also believes that although bike helmets help, when accidents happen, the improved health of people cycling outweighs the risks. 

“Legislation could mean that less people bike, because they don’t feel the necessity to wear bike helmets,” says Wim Bot.

The province of Utrecht has tried to make discounts, pushing residents to wear helmets.

Campaigns Before Legislation? 

The province of Utrecht has earlier this year promoted bike helmets with a discount, which has turned out to be successful according to the province itself. One thousand helmets were set to sale at a 15% price cut – and everything was sold out within 16 days. Therefore, the province will continue the promotion this month, to see if the demand is still present. 

However, despite promotions, the facts are still clear – the ‘Dutchie’ wear helmets less frequently than other European cyclists.  

The number of people, that wear bike helmets differs greatly around Europe.

Sources: Dekra (2020), Fietsersbond (2024), Rådet for sikker trafik (2023) & l’Observatoire national interministériel de la sécurité routière (2020) 

A survey from Dekra showed that 20% of every European cyclist uses a helmet. A number far above the Dutch number. And in France, where the number is 31%, it is even mandatory to wear a helmet for children under the age of 12.  

Fietsersbond has not been a part of any campaigns for bike helmets yet, even though it is being discussed regularly at the union. Especially concerning older people, who tend to have higher risks of accidents in the traffic while cycling. But the union’s point of view, supporting any legislation about any mandatory bike helmets, remains unaffected: 

“Mandatory helmet is something, that I don’t think we will be in favor of,” says Wim Bot.