BICYCLE SAFETY HELMET STANDARDS

For the purposes of section 149.1 of the Highway Traffic Act, a safety helmet intended for the use of an operator or a passenger of a bicycle or worn by an operator or a passenger of a bicycle must comply with the following:

1. It must meet the standards for bicycle safety helmets in effect on the date on which it was manufactured that are prescribed by one of the following:

   1. Canadian Standards Association CAN/CSA D113.2-M89

   2. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Title 16 Code of U.S. Federal Regulations Part 1203 (Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets)

   3. Snell Memorial Foundation B-90 (1990 Standard for Protective Headgear for Use with Bicycles)

   4. Snell Memorial Foundation B-95 (1995 Standard for Protective Headgear for Use with Bicycles)

   5. Snell Memorial Foundation N-94 (1994 Standard for Protective Headgear in Non-Motorized Sports

   6. American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM F117-97 (Standard Specification for Protective Headgear Used in Bicycling)

   7. CEN European Standard EN 1078 (Helmets for Pedal Cyclists and for Users of Skateboards and Roller Skates, February 1997)

   8. British Standards Institute BS 6863: 1989 (British Standard Specification for Pedal Cyclists Helmets)

   9. Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand 2063-1996 (Pedal Cycle Helmets)

   10. American National Standards Institute ANSI Z90.4-1984 (American National Standard for Protective Headgear for Bicyclists)

2. It must bear the mark of one of the organizations referred to in clause (a), or the manufacturer, indicating that the helmet met one or more of the specifications referred to in clause (a) at its date of manufacture,

3. It must be constructed so that it

   1. has a hard, smooth outer shell, and

   2. is capable of absorbing energy on impact,

4. It must be designed and equipped so that it is securely attached to a strap that is to be fastened around the chin of the person wearing the safety helmet, and

5. It must be free of damage or modification that would reduce its effectiveness

To receive a copy of the Helmet Handout or poster, or the Think & Ride poster contact the Office of Traffic Safety at (780) 422-8839 (dial 310-0000 for toll free service outside Edmonton)