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Helmet laws in Euro and Uk Helmet laws in Euro and Uk
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 2 Mar 2013
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Helmet laws in Euro and Uk
Just got a bit of a question about helmet laws. I plan to rent a bike in romania for 2 weeks and maybe do some Ukraine travel in that time and then 2 weeks in the Uk on a rental. I need to know what the deal is with the helmets, like what is legal and do the police give you a hard time about it. I have Australian helmets with Aus standards stickers but they no good overseas me thinks but i do have one that meets DOT and Snell M2005 aproval and aus standards. It all is a bit baffling so maybe you guys that tour Europe and the UK can enlighten me on the facts.
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Old 2 Mar 2013
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I would say that as long as you've got a helmet on no-one will check the stickers.

I saw a guy on a scooter yesterday wearing what looked like a snowboarding helmet. It didn't even cover his ears!! I imagine he may get pulled but a "real" helmet would not draw any attention.

Just bring your Oz helmet with you.
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Old 2 Mar 2013
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+1

Also,most helmets of a large road bike nature are made to EU standards anyway, it's the biggest market with stringent rules. They meet the EU regs then just change the stickers for other markets. The Australian regs are very similar so chances are your lid meets the rules anyway. Asian market hats won't meet the Australian regs so I doubt you have one of those. US testing is a little different and does allow stuff that's closer to a plastic copy of a second world war tin hat, but again unlikely to be sold in Australia.

Why not google your helmet brand and see if they sell in Europe? If you know the web page and are the one person in a million who does get checked you have information that casts doubt on the issue.


Andy
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  #4  
Old 2 Mar 2013
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Thanks guys all this rules and laws make life a pain in the arse at times. I guess i will take the gamble on my oz helmet and see how it goes. Cheers
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Old 2 Mar 2013
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I have been wearing an Australian standards helmet regularly in the UK, and occasionally in Europe, for almost a decade. In that time no one has ever inspected or questioned it. I am sure you will definitely be ok with yours.
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  #6  
Old 5 Mar 2013
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hi guys
traveling in italy you should have a helmet with a E-something(4-5-06)number,otherwise it could get expensive.
but the only country in europe where they control more heavily.
all the best geri
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  #7  
Old 5 Mar 2013
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Hi,

Quote:
Originally Posted by manzini View Post
traveling in italy you should have a helmet with a E-something(4-5-06)number,otherwise it could get expensive.
Yes specialy for tourists while the locals ride with the helmets on their arms HAHA
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Old 5 Mar 2013
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The helment law's are in all EU country's. But most inforce it hard. IE if don't wear a helment you'll get a tug. Greace on the other hand don't take much notice of head gear on bike's. And I think Romanian is the same. If any one else can add more country's whee it is law. But the law is not in-forced.
John933
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Old 6 Mar 2013
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i found this UN piece about helmet laws covering most of Europe and Australia

http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/t...gs/r022r4e.pdf

But as others have said as long as you are wearing one i can see no problem , i have traveled around the UK and rest of Europe with an American helmet never been stopped or questioned about it .
The only time i can see it being a problem is either you go track racing, or if you have an accident and you try for a claim against the other party for a head injury ... even then i don't think anyone would be switched on enough to bring this into the arena

Ninja97 could you give me some advice, i am thinking of flying into Melbourne buying a bike and ride across central Australia to Darwin and then along the coast to Perth Adelaide and Melbourne. Got the info ok on buying the bike register in Victoria and insurance , but i need to know what roads are a must and what things you would consider a must see ... E-mail bushman_uk at hotmail.com cheers
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Old 6 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John933 View Post
If any one else can add more country's whee it is law. But the law is not in-forced.
John933
In Corsica there is not a lot of notice taken (by the local kids in particular) of the helmet law once a bike is off the main roads; that's how it was about 10 years ago anyway.
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