Israel amends law forcing adult cyclists to wear helmets

The Israeli Knesset (parliament) has passed a private member’s bill allowing adult cyclists to ride without helmets after pressure from companies that have started bicycle rental schemes in Israel’s main cities and from cyclists who dislike wearing helmets.

Israeli children and teenagers, however, will have to continue to wear them on bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and roller skates in urban areas.

The law making helmets compulsory was passed four years ago. The private member’s bill amending the law was initiated by the Labor MK Shelly Yachimovich, who took the …