Summary: The mandatory bike helmet law passed by British Columbia in 1995.

MOTOR_VEHICLE_AMENDMENT_ACT_(No.2),_1995

(a) in subsection (1) by adding the following paragraphs:

(b.1) that a person operating or riding as a passenger on a cycle on a path or way designated under paragraph (b.3) must properly wear a bicycle safety helmet that
(i) is designated as an approved bicycle safety helmet under section 185.1 (4) (a), or

(ii) meets the standards and specifications prescribed under section 185.1 (4) (b);

(b.2) that a parent or guardian of a person under the age of 16 years must not authorize or knowingly permit the person to operate or ride as a passenger on a cycle on a path or way designated under paragraph (b.3) if that person is not properly wearing a bicycle safety helmet that
(i) is designated as an approved bicycle safety helmet under section 185.1 (4) (a), or

(ii) meets the standards and specifications prescribed under section 185.1 (4) (b);

(b.3) for the designation of paths or ways within the municipality, other than paths or ways that are highways or are located on private property, for the purposes of a bylaw made under paragraph (b.1) or (b.2);

(b.4) for the exemption of any person or class of persons from a bylaw made under paragraph (b.1) or (b.2) and prescribing conditions for those exemptions; , and

(1.2) Despite subsection (1) (s), a municipality may not impose imprisonment or a fine of more than $100 for the contravention of a bylaw made under subsection (1) (b.1) or (b.2).

Bicycle safety helmets

185.1 (1) A person commits an offence if that person operates or rides as a passenger on a cycle on a highway and is not properly wearing a bicycle safety helmet that
(a) is designated as an approved bicycle safety helmet under subsection (4) (a), or

(b) meets the standards and specifications prescribed under subsection (4) (b).

(2) A parent or guardian of a person under the age of 16 years commits an offence if the parent or guardian authorizes or knowingly permits the person to operate or ride as a passenger on a cycle on a highway if that person is not properly wearing a bicycle safety helmet that
(a) is designated as an approved bicycle safety helmet under subsection (4) (a), or

(b) meets the standards and specifications prescribed under subsection (4) (b).

(3) A person who is convicted of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable to a fine of not more than $100.

(4) The superintendent may make regulations as follows:

(a) designating a helmet as an approved bicycle safety helmet for the purposes of this section;

(b) prescribing standards and specifications for bicycle safety helmets.

(5) Regulations made under subsection (4) (b) may adopt by reference, in whole or in part, standards or specifications published by a national or international standards association, as amended from time to time.

(6) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations as follows:

(a) providing for and requiring the identification and marking of bicycle safety helmets;

(b) exempting any person or class of persons from the requirements of this section and prescribing conditions for those exemptions.

Note: In 2000 the University of North Carolina conducted an evaluation project for this law. It showed substantial increases in helmet use after the law was passed.