RSA warns of sharp drop in helmet use among cyclists and e-scooter riders

'A decision to wear a helmet - or to make yourself more visible - can be the difference between a minor incident and a life-altering one.' Picture: Stock image

There have been “worrying declines” in cyclists and e-scooter users wearing helmets, while the number of cyclists wearing high-visibility clothing remains “persistently low”, the Road Safety Authority has said.

During the darker winter months, the RSA said it was urgent that these road users change their behaviour, after collecting data at 150 sites across 10 major urban centres in August.

This included Cork, where pedal cyclists were far less likely than Dubliners to wear a helmet (39% compared with 51%) and to wear high-visibility clothing (13% compared with 21%).

“While we welcome the continued strong compliance with helmet wearing among motorcyclists, the decline among pedal cyclists and e-scooter riders is deeply concerning,” RSA chief executive Sam Waide said.

“A decision to wear a helmet - or to make yourself more visible - can be the difference between a minor incident and a life-altering one.”

The RSA found that 98% of motorcyclists wore a helmet when observed on the road, a result consistent with past studies.

However, only 50% of pedal cyclists were reported to be wearing helmets, a decrease of seven percentage points on the previous year, it said.

There was also a “significant fall” in e-scooter users wearing helmets to just 27%, a drop of 15 percentage points. Similarly, only 19% of e-scooter users wore high-visibility clothing.

Earlier this week, the Faculty of Paediatrics at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland said e-scooter accidents were becoming the main cause of traumatic brain injury among children in Ireland, as it urged parents not to buy them for Christmas.

The RSA said that although e-scooter users are not legally required to wear helmets, it strongly urged all riders to use a bicycle helmet and wear high-visibility clothing. File picture

“We are seeing an unprecedented rise in brain injuries caused by e-scooters,” Dr Irwin Gill said. “If we don’t act now, this trend will continue with devastating results for children and their families across Ireland.” 

The RSA said that although e-scooter users are not legally required to wear helmets, it strongly urged all riders to use a bicycle helmet and wear high-visibility clothing such as a reflective vest, particularly at night or in poor daylight.

“As we head into darker winter months, I urge all road users to take every possible step to protect themselves and others,” Mr Waide added.

The data comes as authorities including the RSA and An Garda Síochána urge the public to take care on the roads heading into the festive period, when they said there is an increased risk of fatal or serious-injury road crashes.

Gardaí began their dedicated road traffic enforcement operation for the Christmas period on Monday, as 166 people have already lost their lives on Irish roads this year, including 30 motorcyclists, 14 pedal cyclists and two people on e-scooters.

“Many people will be out socialising with colleagues, friends and family over the next few weeks,” Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing Catharaina Gunne said.

“Please plan your ahead for your journey. Leave the car at home. Use taxis and public transport where possible to get home and avoid driving the following morning also.

“We will intercept drink and drug drivers. If convicted, you will lose your licence. Please don’t be one of them.”