France makes bicycle helmets compulsory for children

Starting today, French children under 12 have to wear a helmet when on their bicycle.

A mother puts a bicycle helmet on her three-year-old daughter as they prepare to leave for the child's kindergarten on June 6, 2012 in Berlin, Germany. (AAP) Source: Getty Images Europe

"Bicycle users who are less than 12 years old must wear a helmet to comply with the law. The helmet must be fasten," states an order signed in December and effective today.

Adults accompanying children not wearing bicycle helmets risk receiving a 90 euros fine (135 euros if the fine is not paid in the next 15 days).

Trying to influence adults

The French Road Safety Commission hopes that this measure will also influence adults into wearing a helmet. Unlike in Australia, wearing a bicycle helmet is not mandatory in France for adults.

According to statistics from the commission, wearing a helmet lower the risks of severe head trauma by 70%, minor head trauma by 31% and face trauma by 28%.

Last year, 159 cyclists were killed on French roads, a 7% increase from 2015.