helmet laws?

[silk186]

When I came to the UK a few months ago I did a quick search and found that the UK has no helmet requirement.
However, a co-worker of mine said that he was hit by a car and didn't receive anything from the accident because he wasn't wearing a helmet. He also told me that UK cyclist are required to take some kind of safety course.

Can anyone clarify the UK regulations? When I was injured by a taxi running a red light the money helped pay for my first two years of school. In addition, if this is the case I would feel less safe if drivers knew they would not need to pay compensation in the event of an accident.

I personally don't want to wear a helmet. I think that cars drive closer cyclists wear helmets. I was required to wear one in Canada and complied with the regulation.

I would appreciate it if anyone could post a link to a concise, accurate and up-to-date list of UK regulations cyclists should be aware of.

 

[Markymark]

No law for helmets. No course requirement either. Your friend is either lying or mistaken.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I had to take a course before I was allowed to ride on the road. It was called the cycling proficiency test. I have the little triangular badge to prove it somewhere.

Me too but for the sake of boring accuracy for @silk186 it is not a compulsory course as per motorised vehicles. You can get on a bike and ride legally without helmet and without any form of lesson or test certificate.

 

[Cycling Dan]

Me too but for the sake of boring accuracy for @silk186 it is not a compulsory course as per motorised vehicles. You can get on a bike and ride legally without helmet and without any form of lesson or test certificate.

Was that through scouts , smithing similar or was it something you had to do?

 

[ianrauk]

hit by a car and didn't receive anything from the accident because he wasn't wearing a helmet. He also told me that UK cyclist are required to take some kind of safety course.

Both complete rubbish, he doesn't know what he is talking about. A bullshyster. Ignore him.

 

[silk186]

Good to know I don't need to buy a helmet and sign up for a Bikeability training course.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Both complete rubbish, he doesn't know what he is talking about. A bullshyster. Ignore him.

Aye, that old scare story is trotted out on a regular basis.

I can see this thread becoming prolonged and heated before the mods step in and move it. A helmet saved my life, anyone?

 

[ianrauk]

Aye, that old scare story is trotted out on a regular basis.

I can see this thread becoming prolonged and heated before the mods step in and move it. A helmet saved my life, anyone?

Inevitable

 

[young Ed]

Aye, that old scare story is trotted out on a regular basis.

I can see this thread becoming prolonged and heated before the mods step in and move it. A helmet saved my life, anyone?

helmet sav....
Cheers Ed

 

[boydj]

It is also the case that, in the event of an accident, the lack of a helmet will not be an issue........ unless there is a head injury involved, in which case an insurer will probably argue for a reduction in damages.

 

[jazzkat]

I had to take a course before I was allowed to ride on the road.

You didn't "have to" unless it was your mum telling you of course!
I've got my little triangular badge somewhere, I think it's with my ASA bronze, silver and gold swimming badges...........
......and he scuttles off to root though a drawer.

 

[Ganymede]

When I came to the UK a few months ago I did a quick search and found that the UK has no helmet requirement.
However, a co-worker of mine said that he was hit by a car and didn't receive anything from the accident because he wasn't wearing a helmet.

It's true that in the UK you are free not to wear a helmet (also free to indulge in endless online debates about it) and although I know of nobody who's been refused an insurance payout due to not wearing one, the phrase "Mr Cyclist-knocked-down-and-seriously-injured-in-the-legs was not wearing a helmet" looms mysteriously and disapprovingly in many newspaper reports, both of incidents and of court proceedings following incidents. If I were you I'd check the truth of your co-worker's assertion - could be that the insurance co tried to be purse-lipped about it but didn't get anywhere.

Re your request for regulations - have a rummage on the CTC site: http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations

And there's always the Highway Code.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Aye, that old scare story is trotted out on a regular basis.

I can see this thread becoming prolonged and heated before the mods step in and move it. A helmet saved my life, anyone?

My polystyrene mould injection business was dwindling so badly I couldn't pay the bills. I became depressed and seriously contemplated suicide. But then the cycle helmet came along and saved my life*.


*May contain factual infelicities.

 

[Tim Hall]

You didn't "have to" unless it was your mum telling you of course!

There was no higher law.

"He got the same as we did, didn't he?" said Charlie, passing no remarks on my mother, for to Londoners all mothers are sacred.

 

[Ganymede]

There is definitely one case Reynolds v Strutt & Parker

That's a great link Adrian, I suspect just what @silk186 is looking for.