Tag Archive: helmets

  1. Netherlands minister proposes mandatory helmets for under-18 e-bike riders

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    Source: Nieuwsfiets, Fietsberaad, NL Times

    Netherlands government minister Robert Tieman has proposed a mandatory helmet requirement for under-18s riding e-bikes, with the aim of extending this to all forms of LEVs such as e-scooters. Quality marks for e-bikes and measures to tackle e-bike riding behaviour are also being explored.

    The proposals can be seen as an effort to curb issues the Netherlands is facing regarding young people riding fat bikes, following a conclusion earlier this year that separate legislation for the e-bike category was not feasible.

    Helmet proposal

    Tieman, of the Netherlands Infrastructure and Water Management department, said, “I am very concerned about the fat bike. The latest figures show that by 2024, six times as many young people on e-bikes will have ended up in the emergency room with brain injuries. We all know these stories, and we’ve often been shocked ourselves by a fat biker speeding down the sidewalk or illegally speeding on the bike path. I believe it’s important to intervene in this, and I will do so with feasible measures. That’s why I’m pushing for an age-based helmet requirement, a behavioral approach, and a quality mark.”

    The helmet proposal has received endorsement from various directions, including the Dutch road safety organisation, Veilig Verkeer Netherlands (VVN), police union ACP, the Dutch Association of Emergency Physicians (NVSHA), the Association of Dutch Municipalities, and the Aldermen with responsibility for traffic and mobility in Amsterdam and The Hague. Yara Basta, chair of NVSHA, said, “Schoolchildren do not yet have enough traffic awareness to safely ride at e-bike speeds,” and indicated that early helmet use could lead to continued use into adulthood, helping to increase safety and reduce healthcare costs.

    Additional measures

    A behavioural approach to tackling nuisance caused by e-bikes is also being investigated, by looking into the driving factors behind problematic behaviour, and exploring effective measures to manage or eliminate the behaviour.

    The Ministry is also actively supportive of the sector’s current development of an e-bike quality mark, which will provide consumers, law enforcement bodies and manufacturers with greater clarity about which bicycles are safe.

    The draft regulations regarding mandatory helmet use are expected to be finalised in the autumn of 2026.

  2. Helmet non-compliance informs Australian Capital Territory in issuing shared-mobility permits

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    Source: ABC News

    A University of Canberra observational study found that almost two-thirds of people using shared e-scooters in Canberra are riding illegally. Researchers are urging the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government to address the problem before considering adding another provider to the market.

    Other rule violations included riding with extra passengers (3%), speeding (7%), and using mobile phones while riding. The researchers noted a widespread lack of awareness about e-scooter laws and a perception that enforcement would be unlikely, increasing risky behaviours. From January–May 2025, ACT Police issued only nine infringement notices and two cautions for helmet offences. No penalties were recorded for phone use or multiple riders. Riders reported that the small number of fines hasn’t significantly influenced their behaviour.

    Impact on permit licensing

    The ACT government is reopening licenses in June, potentially allowing two operators and introducing e-bikes. However, the helmet non-compliance and other law breaches are affecting the licensing process, and authorities say these safety concerns must be addressed before issuing permits to new operators. As a notable example, former shared e-scooter operator Beam Mobility lost its licence after breaching permit terms by manipulating its fleet size, highlighting the consequences of non-compliance for companies.

    What’s next?

    Researchers recommend mandatory helmet enforcement, including collaboration between operators and the government, possibly with late-night checks. Public education on laws, and improved infrastructure such as safer footpaths, are also prioritized in their recommendations. The ACT government acknowledges the need for change, but notes e-scooter commuting peaks are during early evening rather than late at night.

    Breaking the law – whether riders failing to wear helmets, or companies breaching permit terms – directly threatens operators’ chances of securing permits. Until compliance issues are addressed, expansion plans and new licences (including for e-bikes) may be delayed or restricted.

  3. New e-scooter helmet regulations for Malaga

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    Mandatory helmet proposals have been adopted, with operators unhappy with the decision putting pressure on an already competitive market

    Source: TheMayor.eu

    In a move aimed at enhancing safety on the bustling streets of Malaga, the local city council recently implemented a regulation requiring all e-scooter riders, both on shared platforms and private users, to wear helmets. Despite the better intentions behind this decision, it has stirred a heated debate, particularly with scooter rental companies threatening to withdraw from the city if the rules are enforced.

    The city justifies the new mandate by citing an uptick in accidents involving e-scooters. While the local authorities believe that helmets are a necessary precaution, scooter operators vehemently oppose the measure. They argue that the accident rate for electric scooters is comparable to that of bicycles, which are not obligated to use helmets. This, according to a statement from the shared mobility operators, results in discriminatory practices.

    Expressing dissatisfaction, a spokesperson for the scooter lobby emphasized the financial strain on operators, calling it “the straw that breaks the camel’s back”. The spokesperson hinted at the possibility of a single rental company monopolizing the field, given the additional burden of combating helmet thefts. As Malaga grapples with the delicate balance between safety regulations and the economic viability of scooter rentals, the outcome remains uncertain, leaving both riders and operators in a state of anticipation.