Bike helmet wearing rate increases
The good news is that just under half of all cyclists now wear a helmet. Among children, it is even more than two-thirds. 14% of the riders of fast e-bikes, on the other hand, are still riding without a helmet - despite the mandatory requirement.
At 49 %, the helmet-wearing rate among cyclists is slightly higher than in the previous year, when 47 % were recorded (2014: 43 %). Both genders contributed to this increase, with the wearing rate for men (52 %) still significantly higher than for women (46 %).
This is shown by this year's 2016 count by the BFU accident prevention advisory office. More than 7,000 cyclists were recorded at 67 counting points and helmet use, purpose of riding, bicycle type, age and gender were recorded.
Particularly pleasing: while only 14% of cyclists wore a helmet in the first count in 1998, today almost half do.
For children up to 14 years of age, the carrying rate increased to 69 % in 2016. This means that after an unpleasant decline - especially in 2013 and 2014 - the rate is back at the level of 2010. Children are exposed to a higher risk of accidents when riding a bicycle because their cognitive and motor skills are not yet fully developed and they are still inexperienced in traffic. Therefore, it is especially important for them to protect their heads. The BFU will continue to promote specific awareness-raising measures for the benefit of parents, schools and clubs. In addition, local authorities can make it compulsory to wear a bicycle helmet on the way to school.
Since July 1, 2012, it has been mandatory to wear a bicycle helmet when riding fast e-bikes (with a pedal assistance of 25 to 45 km/h). Today, the observed wearing rate for this vehicle category is an unsatisfactory 86 %. For slower e-bikes, which are becoming increasingly popular, not least among older people, the carrying rate is 60 % (2015: 67 %). Here, the Federal Council, in agreement with the BFU, also recommends always wearing a bicycle helmet in accordance with the EN 1078 standard for safety reasons.
Since the safety benefits of the bicycle helmet have been scientifically proven, the BFU will continue to conduct prevention campaigns to promote the voluntary and proper wearing of helmets. Only when the bicycle helmet fits correctly does it reduce the risk of serious head injury: Two finger widths above the root of the nose, side straps equally full, space for a finger between the chin and the strap.
