Bicycle Helmets In New Zealand
Bicycle helmets have been mandatory in New Zealand since January, 1994. The statute, delineated in Part 11 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (SR 2004/427), states that "A person must not ride, or be carried on, a bicycle on a road unless the person is wearing a safety helmet of an approved standard that is securely fastened." The law describes six different acceptable helmet standards.
Violating the law can result in a $55 infringement fee and a maximum $1,000 penalty on summary conviction.
Exemptions to the law may be granted on "grounds of religious belief or physical disability or other reasonable grounds." 58 of 69 applications for exemption were granted prior to 2000.
A 2011 survey by the New Zealand Ministry of Transport found the national cycle helmet wearing rate, covering all age groups, to be 93%, the same as found in 2010 and up from the 92% rate seen in 2007–2009.
Read more about Bicycle Helmets In New Zealand: History, Research, Advocacy, Government Response
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