{"id":13510,"date":"2024-09-19T17:27:25","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T15:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/?p=13510"},"modified":"2025-01-15T15:00:32","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:00:32","slug":"legislation-could-mean-that-less-people-bike-why-is-helmets-not-mandatory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svjmedia.nl\/internationaljournalism\/13510\/legislation-could-mean-that-less-people-bike-why-is-helmets-not-mandatory\/","title":{"rendered":"“Legislation could mean that less people bike” – Why are helmets not mandatory?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bicycling is one of the most popular ways of traveling for many Europeans daily.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>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. Nonetheless, most of the population never wears a helmet \u2013 and if you do? They will probably not see you as a local \u2018Dutchie\u2019.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n\n

Europe has diverse cycling cultures, f<\/span>rom the Alps in France to Netherlands’ flatlands \u2013 you can see bicycles being used.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>However, something that also varies greatly across the continent is helmet usage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some countries in Europe have a high use of headwear in general, but in the Netherlands, as of now, there is no legislation \u2013 while the country has one of the lowest rates of people wearing helmets in Europe with only 3%.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prioritizing the General Health <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

The Dutch are famous for their cycling culture, with dedicated bike lanes, rush-hours in cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht, and almost no helmets in sight.<\/p>\n

Wim Bot, who is ‘I<\/span>nternational Policy Advisor’ from Fietsersbond, (The Dutch Cyclists\u2019 Union), is proud of the biking culture in the Netherlands.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCycling is more popular than ever, a<\/span>nd we have a very good cycling culture supported by excellent infrastructure,<\/span>\u201d he says.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite cyclists wanting to cycle in safe environments, <\/span>helmets are mainly worn by seniors or tourists.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not common that you have a bike helmet \u2013 and it is also not popular. It is not a part of our tradition,\u201d says Wim Bot.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He also believes that although bike helmets help, when accidents happen, the improved health of people cycling outweighs the risks.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLegislation could mean that less people bike, because they don\u2019t feel the necessity to wear bike helmets,\u201d says Wim Bot.<\/span><\/p>\n

But even though the average Dutch cyclist does not feel the necessity to wear a bike helmet, the statistics show the consequences that can occur. The injury prevention organization, Veiligheid NL, is showcasing how accidents happen 27% more often than a decade ago in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

Numbers from the same report also reveal that 17% of the accidents end in either concussions or severe head injuries, and if everyone wore helmets in the Netherlands, 85 deaths annually could have been prevented.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The province of Utrecht has tried to make discounts, pushing residents to wear helmets.<\/em><\/p>\n

Campaigns Before Legislation?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n

The province of Utrecht promoted bike helmets with a discount earlier this year, which, according to the province, has been successful.\u00a0<\/span>1,000 helmets sold out at a 15% discount in 16 days, making the province continue the promotion this month.<\/p>\n

Despite promotions, the facts are still clear – the <\/span>\u2018Dutchies\u2019 <\/span>wear helmets less frequently than other European cyclists. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

The number of people, who wear bike helmets differs greatly around Europe.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sources: Dekra (2020), Fietsersbond (2024), R\u00e5det for sikker trafik (2023) & l’Observatoire national interminist\u00e9riel de la s\u00e9curit\u00e9 routi\u00e8re (2020)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A survey from Dekra showed that 20% of every European cyclist uses a helmet, a number far above the Dutch number. In France, where the number is 31%, it is even mandatory to wear a helmet for children under the age of 12. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fietsersbond has not yet been a part of any campaigns for bike helmets, 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>But the union\u2019s point of view, supporting any legislation about any mandatory bike helmets, remains unaffected:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMandatory helmet is something, that I don’t think we will be in favor of,\u201d says Wim Bot.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Biking is a part of living in the Netherlands. 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