Helmet Laws In Canada: What You Need To Know

Canada has stringent motorcycle helmet laws, with every province requiring both drivers and passengers to wear them while riding. However, there are some exceptions across provinces. For instance, in 2020, Ontario repealed its helmet law, allowing motorcycle operators aged 21 and older with an M operator's licence to ride without a helmet. In Alberta and Ontario, adults who are members of the Sikh religion and wear a turban are also exempt from helmet requirements. In Manitoba, members of the Sikh religion or those participating in a legally authorized parade are exempt from helmet laws. Despite these variations, Canada's uniform enforcement of helmet laws across provinces has contributed to its impressive record in motorcycle safety.

Motorcycle helmet laws in Canada

However, there are some exceptions to these laws across different provinces. In Alberta and Ontario, adults who are bona fide members of the Sikh religion and wear a turban are exempt from wearing a helmet. Similarly, in Manitoba, members of the Sikh religion and people riding in authorised parades are not required to wear helmets. In contrast, provinces like British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and others have no exceptions to the mandatory helmet law.

It is important to note that while helmet laws are in place, not just any helmet will suffice. Helmets must adhere to major international safety standards. A full-face helmet is recommended as it provides the most protection, and it is advisable to choose one in bright colours for better visibility. Adding reflective tape to all sides can further enhance safety, especially when riding after dark. Ensuring proper chin strap fittings is also crucial for overall safety.

Used helmets are generally not recommended, as they may have sustained damage in previous accidents, compromising their protective capabilities. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor after an accident, even if you feel fine, as some injuries may not present immediate symptoms but can worsen if left untreated.

Exceptions to the law

In Canada, every province has motorcycle helmet laws that require both drivers and passengers to wear them while riding. However, there are some exceptions to the law in certain provinces.

In Alberta and Ontario, adults over the age of 18 who are bona fide members of the Sikh religion and wear a turban are exempt from wearing a helmet. This exemption was implemented by Premier Doug Ford in 2020, allowing "motorcycle operators aged 21 and older, who hold an M operator’s licence, [to] no longer be required to wear protective helmets on public highways in Ontario."

In Manitoba, members of the Sikh religion are also exempt from wearing helmets, and people riding in a legally authorized parade may ride without helmets.

In contrast, several provinces offer no exceptions to the mandatory motorcycle helmet law, including British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.

Nova Scotia's law allows for exemptions due to medical or religious reasons, but individuals must obtain a certificate from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to prove their exemption and have it with them whenever they ride a motorcycle.

Helmet safety standards

In Canada, helmet laws are stipulated by the province or territory. Usually, helmets only need to meet one of the following safety standards: DOT, Snell, or ECE ratings. In many cases, older certifications like Snell M2005, BSI, and CSA are also legally accepted.

The DOT certification is the "normal" safety standard a helmet must pass to be accepted in the market. It is the most common and well-known standard, and numerous tests are carried out to ensure compliance.

ECE is the universal requirement for Europe and is the most commonly used standard worldwide, with over 50 countries using it as their benchmark. ECE has stricter rules than DOT, and every helmet model sold with the ECE label must pass different tests before being sold. ECE also requires batch testing before the helmets are released for sale.

Snell is considered to have the highest standards in motorcycle safety, and many race tracks and organizations require a Snell rating. The Snell Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization that tests and develops standards to improve helmet efficiency. A Snell-certified helmet ensures the most impact absorption and often has the thickest foam layers.

In addition to these standards, there are other considerations when choosing a helmet. A full-face helmet is the only type that can protect the face, and it is recommended to choose one in bright colours that are easily seen in daylight or night lighting. If you ride after dark, adding reflective tape to all sides makes it safer. It is also important to ensure the chin straps fit properly. Used helmets are not recommended as they could have been damaged in an accident.

Helmet law in Ontario

In Ontario, motorcycle operators aged 21 and older who hold an M operator's licence are not required to wear protective helmets on public highways. However, this law only applies to members of the Sikh religion who are over the age of 18 and wear a turban. This exemption also applies in Alberta. In all other cases, the use of helmets is mandatory in Ontario.

In the case of bicycle helmet laws, Ontario enforced all-age or under-18 helmet laws from 1995 to 1997. However, according to a 2009 assessment by Safer Cycling author Colin Clark, such laws have been found to discourage recreational exercise, leading to a plunge in cycling participation among Canadians aged 15 and above.

Helmet law in Quebec

In Canada, every province has motorcycle helmet laws that require both drivers and passengers to wear them while riding. However, there are some exceptions across provinces. For instance, in Alberta and Ontario, an adult who is a bona fide member of the Sikh religion and wears a turban is allowed to ride without a helmet. In Manitoba, members of the Sikh religion or people riding in a legally authorized parade may ride without helmets.

In Quebec, there is no exception to the mandatory motorcycle helmet law. In addition, a car license and helmet are both mandatory. However, bicycle helmets are not mandatory in Quebec. In 2015, Quebec Transport Minister Robert Poëti said that he didn't see the need to pass a law to force people to wear bike helmets, although he had not made a final decision. He argued that such a law would be difficult to enforce and that parents should have social responsibility for their children's safety. He also pointed out that the ministry was working on the Highway Safety Code.

There have been heated debates in three parliamentary committees in Quebec on whether bicycle helmets should be mandatory. However, this measure was rejected each time. Opponents of the measure argued that it could have a negative health impact by reducing cycling rates, especially among youth. This argument is supported by studies carried out in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada, which showed that mandatory bicycle helmet measures are associated with reduced cycling rates.

Despite the lack of a provincial mandate, some municipalities in Quebec have taken it upon themselves to require minors to wear bicycle helmets. For example, in 2011, the City of Sherbrooke adopted a bylaw requiring minors to wear bicycle helmets. A study conducted in 2020 analyzed the impact of this bylaw and found that helmet use increased in the Sherbrooke CMA compared to the control CMAs. However, the study also noted that cycling rates among youth in Sherbrooke remained stable, while they decreased in the control CMAs.

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