Winter 2004 archive of past newsletters

Helmet Wearing in Sweden

Sweden has long been a participant in the Helmet Initiative. We have this update on helmets from Thomas Lekander of the Swedish National Road Administration.

Bicycle Helmets
After a decade of research and discussion, beginning in January, 2005, all Swedish children under 15 years old will be required to wear bicycle helmets as a result of a law passed in May 2004. Although the National Road Administration as well as other health groups were pressing for a helmet law for riders of all ages, the Minister of Infrastructure was unable to get acceptance for this general law from within her own party. Road safety and health advocates hope that the child law will lead to the passage of a universal helmet wearing law.

There is still resistance to a law requiring children to wear helmets by biking organizations in Sweden. They claim that if there are mandatory requirements to wear a helmet, “many” people will stop biking which will be bad for public health and “several hundred” persons will die too early. (Editor’s Note: This is a common argument used by those opposing helmet wearing laws in Europe and Australia. Its claims have yet to be proven).

The helmet wearing rate for all bicyclists is about 18 percent. Children 12-13 years old have the highest rates, around 80 percent.

Moped and Motorcycle Helmets
Since May 1975, helmets have been required for all motorcyclists. For moped riders, helmets have been required since 1978.

For motocyclists, the wearing rates are high – at least 95 percent – but for moped riders, the rate is lower, about 85-90%. Observational studies are infrequently conducted.

Moped and motorcycle riding has become extremely popular in Sweden during the past 4-5 years. With this increase in popularity, the number of motorcycle fatalities has also increased.

(See the report, “Increased Bicycle Helmet Use in Sweden” in this issue of Headlines.)

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