Should helmets be mandatory for cyclists?

Poll results

Should helmets be mandatory for cyclists?
Support
Reject
Don't know
48%
45%
7%
PolitPro Community – 3866 respondents – 23.10.2023-30.10.2023

Poll information

Should helmets be mandatory for cyclists? 48% voted in favor of mandatory helmets for cyclists, 45% against.

7% chose the answer "Don't know". The survey was conducted among 3866 users of the PolitPro app during 23.10.2023-30.10.2023. The results are not representative, but may give a rough idea of the political mood around the issue.

Pros - What's in favor?

  1. Road safety: making helmets compulsory for cyclists could help reduce serious injuries in accidents. Helmets provide additional protection for the head and brain and can mitigate potential damage in crashes or collisions. By wearing helmets, bicyclists can reduce the risk of serious injury and improve their safety on the road.
  2. Role modeling for young cyclists: mandatory helmet use could serve as a positive role model for young cyclists. Children and young people who see their parents or other adults wearing a helmet are encouraged to wear one themselves. This promotes a culture of safety and helps develop safety-conscious road users from an early age.
  3. Healthcare cost savings: Wearing a helmet can prevent or mitigate serious injuries, resulting in healthcare savings. Treatment for head injuries resulting from bicycle accidents can be costly. Mandatory helmet use can help reduce these costs and use health care system resources more efficiently.

Cons - What's against it?

  1. Freedom and Comfort: Mandatory helmet use could be perceived as limiting individual freedom. Some cyclists prefer not to wear a helmet to feel freer and increase comfort while cycling. Therefore, wearing a helmet should remain a personal choice and not be imposed by a duty.
  2. Transportation and environmental considerations: A helmet requirement could act as a deterrent to potential bicyclists and limit the use of this environmentally friendly mode of transportation. If wearing a helmet is perceived as an additional barrier, fewer people might be willing to use bicycling as a mode of transportation. This could have negative impacts on transportation, the environment, and health.
  3. Individual responsibility and education: Instead of making helmets mandatory, more measures should be implemented to educate and raise awareness among cyclists about the importance of wearing a helmet. Targeted campaigns and information can encourage cyclists to voluntarily wear a helmet and become aware of their own safety needs. It is important to promote the individual responsibility of each cyclist rather than enforcing it through a legal obligation.