Crash helmet

Fact: people driving a (light) moped are responsible for 1 percent of all mobility, but form 10 percent of all traffic deaths.

Drivers and passengers of mopeds and motorcycles have an obligation to wear a crash helmet. Almost 100 percent of all people driving a motorcycle wear a helmet, and even 92 percent of all moped drivers wear a helmet. For moped passengers however only 75 percent wears a helmet. In 2003 not wearing a helmet caused 100 deaths and 3,000 hospitalised.

There can be some confusion about when wearing a crash helmet is obligatory. To summarise: when riding a light moped, a micro car and most quads, you dont have to wear a helmet. When riding a moped, trike and motorcycle, wearing a helmet is mandatory. Except on the BMW C1 motorcycle. For this type of motorcycle an exemption has been given. However you do have to wear the seatbelts, just like on a quad or in a microcar.

Not just any helmet
Wearing just any helmet is not good enough. The law states since 1990, that a helmet must fit tightly and should be attached properly. To summarise: the helmet should not be to big or to small, and the band under the chin should be fastened properly. The helmet must also be ECE European approved. You can find this label on the inside of the helmet. The label must contain a circled E and a number. The condition of the helmet is also very important. An old helmet should be replaced, because over time, the material becomes brittle. If you fall or have an accident during which the helmet hits the ground, you should replace it. After a fall or hard impact, the shock absorbing qualities of the helmet deminish, even if there is no visible damage. Some helmet dealers offer a possibility to test the helmet for safety after a fall.