And New South Wales has jumped on board!
A few months ago, the Assistant Treasurer accepted the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) recommendation to adopt additional bicycle helmet standards in Australia.
Bicycle NSW is delighted to announce that Transport for NSW's Safety, Environment & Regulation team has decided to approve the recommended standards following a detailed review process.
This means that bicycle helmets meeting 6 Australian and overseas standards can now be imported, sold and used in New South Wales.
Australia’s new standards should allow a greater choice and more competitive pricing for high-quality bicycle helmets (Image: Rinehardt)
This includes the European Union EN 1078:2012 and the United States CPSC 16 C.F.R. Part 1203 standards.
Generally speaking, this is a good direction forward. It will reduce compliance and administrative costs for Australian businesses. The ACCC has found that increased access to bicycle helmet suppliers will save industry up to $14 million each year. It will allow a wider variety of helmets to hit the market. And this should provide better pricing for all bicycle riders.
The federal mandatory standard was updated on 22 March 2024. There is a transition period until 21 September 2025 for suppliers to adjust to the new mandatory standard.
As the leading on-the-ground bicycle advocacy body in NSW, Bicycle NSW worked with the NSW Government to help fast track the harmonisation of the new standards. We knew that it was urgent to update the legislation quickly for the benefit of retailers, consumers and bike riders.
Bicycle NSW commends NSW Government for aligning with national guidelines in a short timeframe
Specific approved helmets are administered through a Gazette. We were warned that it would take many months to reflect these changes. But a notice with the new definition was published in the NSW Government Gazette on 1st July 2024!
This change means that there is alignment between the types of bicycle helmets that customers can legally purchase from retailers and what they can wear under NSW road transport laws.
The outcome provides greater consumer choice with a range of more affordable products and still provides an acceptable level of safety protection.
"Consumers no longer need to stick to a marked AS/NZS 2063 helmet in NSW,” says Peter McLean, Bicycle NSW CEO. "Many more high-quality products are now legal to use in NSW."
"Importantly this includes helmets suitable for use by Sikh children who wear turbans. Bicycle NSW has advocated for this and we are pleased the Minns government has made progress on promises to the Sikh community to look into possible changes to the rules."
The best bike helmets combine head protection, aerodynamics and ventilation. All helmets must pass stringent testing standards to be approved for sale (Image: Warren Rossiter)
There is more good news!
A simple helmet rating from one to five stars has just been announced in NSW.
Modelled on ANCAP safety ratings for motor vehicles, the Helmet STAR (Safety Testing and Assessment Ratings) will provide an easy-to-understand safety rating for new helmets based on comprehensive testing.
The first set of ratings proves helmet safety is not determined by price alone, with a $22 Bluey helmet for toddlers deemed the safest on the market in its category. Categories include mountain bike, road, recreational/skate, general and children.
Each helmet is impact tested at the NSW Crashlab where Transport for NSW technicians conduct examinations including vertical drops, a strap strength test, and drop tests with moving platforms. The helmet’s ability to protect the user’s head in each scenario is tested and a star rating assigned.
One star means the helmet “meets the crash protection required by recognised helmet standards” in Australia, while five stars means the helmet is “exceptional in crash protection and well above the recognised helmet standards.” The rating system will give consumers more confidence when buying a helmet.
Check out the ratings for 61 helmets tested so far here.
What happens next?
The NSW Government has highlighted broader issues which needs to be addressed over the next 18 months:
- States and Territories need to update their road use laws in line with the new safety standard.
- NSW desires nationally consistent road rules and therefore needs to understand the position of other states and territories.
- NSW Police will experience the operational enforcement challenges, with 6 different standards.
Bicycle NSW will continue to educate riders about the existing and new standards for helmets.
A good summary of the helmet rules, including a list of the new approved standards, can be found here.
If you're not wearing a properly certified helmet in NSW, you can not only be fined for doing so, but potentially (though it seems such cases are rare) have an insurance compensation claim rejected.
Head to this article for some great commentary and advice on the old rules and the advocacy to change them.
Before you go….
Bicycle NSW has been campaigning for a better environment for bike riding for almost 50 years.
“If you care about the environment, health, cost of living, social equity and childhood independence, consider joining Bicycle NSW today” says Peter McLean, Bicycle NSW CEO.
