Bike helmet for children: mandatory or not?

A bicycle helmet for children is mandatory in several countries. But is this also the case in the UK and Ireland? And are there any other good reasons to let your little one wear a helmet? We will tell you in this article.

Is a bike helmet mandatory for children in the UK?

In the UK and Ireland, there is no law that obliges children (or adults, for that matter) to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Whether you let your little one wear a helmet is up to your own judgement and responsibility. Lately however, wearing a helmet has become more and more normalised, and there has been growing discussion about a legal obligation. Proponents say it is an easy measure to make cycling safer – especially for little children. Opponents say that a legal obligation gives people the idea that cycling is a dangerous activity, and will cause them to cycle less.

shinju white helm voor kids

How to measure a child’s head circumference

Even babies are not required to wear a helmet on the bike. Note however that babies can only ride along in a bike seat from the moment they can sit upright independently. Usually, they can sit up straight when they are about 9 to 12 months old. On the following page you can read from what age a baby is allowed in a front seat or rear seat.

Choose the right bike helmet size for your child

Despite the lack of a legal requirement, there are several good reasons to offer them this extra protection. The main reason is that a helmet considerably reduces the risk of head injury in the case something goes wrong during your bike ride. Secondly, the security of the added protection makes your cycling trips more relaxed and worry-free.
And there are no downsides, because bicycle helmets are not as bulky as they used to be. Today’s bicycle helmets are light and comfortable. Even for the smallest riders, there are helmets with versatile adjustment options to ensure a snug fit. Many helmets for children are also equipped with ventilation to keep a cool head. As a result, wearing a bike helmet is no longer a punishment, but is becoming more and more common. In countries like Germany and Denmark wearing a bike helmet is already the standard. Therefore, we at Urban Iki advise you to let your children wear a helmet on the bike.

Check out Urban Iki’s children’s bike helmets.