European Cyclists' Federation

Position Statement on Cycle Helmets

At Velo-City 2007 delegates heard that cyclists live longer and healthier lives, that serious head injuries are rare and that the evidence in favour of helmet wearing and helmet laws is weak. The main effect of helmet laws has not been to improve cyclists’ safety but to discourage cycling, undermining its health and other benefits.

We therefore call upon authorities to:

focus on well-established measures to promote cycling and cyclists' well-being;
recognise that the benefits of cycling far outweigh the risks;
- refrain from promoting or enforcing helmet wearing without sound evidence that this would be beneficial and cost-effective compared to other safety initiatives.