European Helmet Law Positions – 1995
Summary: This bit of 1995 history states that there was “no consensus on the question of mandatory bicycle helmets.
From CSC: The Newsletter of the French Consumer Safety Commission
Extract from the Official Journals of the European Union
Helmets for Cyclists
Considering that the number of cyclists with head injuries in the European Union is more than 600,000 per year, requiring an expenditure of 1 billion ECU’s, does the European Commission expect to evaluate the advantage of mandatory helmet laws for bicyclists?
Here is the response of Mr. Kinnock of the European Commission:
The European Commission believes that wearing a bicycle helmet reduces the risk of head injury in case of an accident, but bear in mind that helmet wearing is not yet obligatory in any of the member States.
The Commission is in regular contact with cyclist associations, notably the European Federation of Cyclists. It is aware that there is no consensus on the question of mandatory bicycle helmets. However, it provided financial support for several national programs designed to promote and develop the wearing of safety helmets by bicyclists in 1993 and 1994 (conferences in Paris and Stockholm and comparative tests of child safety helmets in Germany).
Regarding accident statistics, the Commission has encouraged the creation of a European database on accidents which will provide the required information. The system is currently in test phase and will be operational beginning in 1996. In addition, bicycle safety helmets are included in the directive 89/686/CEE of December 21, 1989 on equipment for individual protection (EPI). All elements of this directive have been in force since July 1, 1995. Henceforth, all safety helmets put on the market or used shall conform to this directive and therefore carry European Community markings.
A harmonization standard for this product is under preparation in the European Standards Committee (CEN).
JOCE Number C103/39 DU 24/4/95
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