Swiss MPs have voted overwhelmingly against making cycling helmets mandatory for children under 14, saying that it was an issue for ‘personal responsibility’.
As part of the debate over road law revisions, MPs voted 136 to 46 against the requirement.
The opposition to the move, made up of representatives from across the political spectrum, noted that 70 per cent of children already wear helmets.
Transport Minister Doris Leuthard disagreed however. She told World Radio Switzerland: “It is not that we think parents won’t pay attention to kids, and thus put this helmet rule in place. Every head injury we can prevent makes this regulation worth it.”
Australia and New Zealand began to implement helmet laws for all cyclists in 1990 and 1994 respectively. A survey in New Zealand earlier this year suggested that helmet requirements had halved the number of cyclists on the road.
12 thoughts on “Swiss MPs reject helmet law”
Switzerland, the land of
Switzerland, the land of common sense.
And cheese. Don’t forget the
And cheese. Don’t forget the cheese.
I don’t know how the rules
I don’t know how the rules stand in Switzerland BUT one of the problems with introducing compulsory helmet laws for children is that it is difficult, or sometimes impossible, to enforce laws against minors. In the UK, anyone under the age of 10 cannot commit a criminal offence. Therefore, if this rule was in place here, you could get a ticket, just tear it up and nothing would happen. Brilliant!
I think it is rather older in
I think it is rather older in most of Europe, including Switzerland – you can’t prosecute below 14.
There might of course be a liability falling on the parents, but how would that work? “I told the little blighter to wear his helmet, but does he listen?”
Good call as it will increase
Good call as it will increase participation…but hemets are still compulsory on our holidays up in the Alps 😉
Another company who don’t
Another company who don’t want my money.
Do they mandate seatbelts,
Do they mandate seatbelts, whether in cars or aircraft?
GerardR wrote:Do they mandate
Seatbelts in cars, but not helmets. Not sure about aircraft.
Cuckoo …
Cuckoo …
I remember the three stooges
I remember the three stooges whinging about “stupid laws aimed at motorists” on top gear once whilst driving through Switzerland now reading about this decision regarding cycle helmets I can only conclude that they must be the most sensible people around.
I remember the three stooges
I remember the three stooges whinging about “stupid laws aimed at motorists” on top gear once whilst driving through Switzerland now reading about this decision regarding cycle helmets I can only conclude that they must be the most sensible people around.
FATBEGGARONABIKE wrote:I
As a Swiss, I have to concur.