Anyone riding a bicycle in this Province is required to wear an approved helmet. Bicycle helmets help to prevent serious head injuries when used correctly. A properly fitted helmet can decrease the risk of serious head or brain injury by up to 80 per cent (Parachute Canada).
More Information
- Bicycle helmet information
- Promotional poster
- How to properly fit a bike helmet
- Highway Traffic Act
- Licensing and Equipment Regulations
Support to obtain a bicycle helmet may be available through one of these organizations (eligibility criteria may apply):
- Canadian Tire Jumpstart (children and youth aged 4 – 18 years)
- Recreation NL (adults and seniors aged 18 years and over)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I wear a helmet?
Head injuries are the number one cause of serious injury and death to children and youth on bicycles. A properly fitted helmet helps protect your brain from absorbing the force from a crash or a fall. It significantly reduces the risk of serious head injury by up to 85 per cent.
How can I tell if the helmet is the right size?
Helmets come in a variety of sizes. There are special helmets for toddlers (under age five) that provide more protection at the back of the head. Some children may outgrow the toddler size helmet before age five and should use a bigger helmet. Helmets come with extra padding that can be added to the inside of the helmet. You may need extra padding at the front or the back of the helmet so it fits correctly.
Why do I need a different helmet for skateboarding?
Skateboarding helmets cover more of the back of the head and will protect against more than one crash. Since falls are common in skateboarding, these helmets are made of material that is specially designed to withstand multiple impacts on the same spot.
How do I make sure it fits correctly?
- The helmet should cover the top of the forehead and should rest about two fingers’ width above the eyebrows.
- The side straps should fit snugly around your ears in a “V” shape. The buckles on the side strap should fit right under the ear.
- Buckle the chin strap. Tighten it until you can fit only one finger between the strap and your chin.
- Check for proper helmet fit every time you wear your helmet. Teach your child to check the helmet fit every time.
How do I know if my helmet is legal?
Your helmet must be approved by one of the following organizations and will have a certification sticker place on the inside of the helmet:
- Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
- Snell Memorial Foundation
- American Society for Testing and Materials
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or
- American National Standards Institute
When should I replace my bike helmet?
- Bike helmets should be replaced after five years, or a crash where the cyclist has hit their head. After five years, the plastics of the helmet dry out and may become brittle. Older helmets may also not meet current safety standards.
- Bike helmets are designed to protect your head against only one crash. After a crash in which the cyclist has hit their head, the foam inside the helmet is compressed. The helmet should be replaced, even if it does not look damaged.
Is it safe to use a second-hand helmet?
No, it is not a good idea to buy a helmet second-hand. You may not know if the helmet has been in a crash, and you may not know how old the helmet is.
My helmet is missing parts. Can I still use it?
No, you should never use a helmet that has missing parts. Make sure that all of the straps, adjusters and fasteners on your helmet are secure and in working order. If the sliders or buckles on the side straps are loose, the helmet will not fit correctly and should not be worn.
Can you wear a baseball hat under a helmet?
No. Anything that could change the way your helmet fits should not be worn. Baseball hats, hair clips and headphones should never be worn under a helmet. Ponytails should be worn low on the neck when wearing a helmet.
What happens if I am caught not wearing a helmet?
If you are caught not wearing a helmet by an enforcement officer, it is a ticketable offense and you may be fined up to a maximum of $180.
What happens if my child is caught not wearing a helmet?
If a child that is 16 years of age or under is caught not wearing a helmet by an enforcement officer, the parent of that child will be required to pay the fine.
What are the fines for not wearing a helmet?
The fines for not wearing a bicycle helmet will range from $25 to $180.