Service NL
Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
December 9, 2014

Amended Highway Traffic Act Protects Families and Communities

Mandatory Use of Bicycle Helmets Ensures Safety for All Users

Effective April 1, 2015, all bicyclists in Newfoundland and Labrador will be required to wear a bicycle helmet when cycling on the province's roadways. This amendment to the Highway Traffic Act will be introduced today in the House of Assembly.

"The protection and safety of our citizens is a critical component of the mandate of Service NL. There is substantial evidence that helmets reduce serious head and brain injuries and costs to the health care system. I am proud today to bring this legislation forward to bicyclists of all age, who are among the most vulnerable road users."
- The Honourable Tony Cornect, Minister of Service NL

This new legislation will protect people of all ages who use bicycles on the province's roadways and complement other ongoing injury prevention initiatives undertaken by the Provincial Government and its community partners.

"The Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was established, in part, to highlight the importance of daily physical activity, and bicycle riding is certainly an excellent way to keep fit. But it is equally important to be safe while riding a bike - and that means wearing an approved bicycle helmet to help prevent serious head injury in the event of a fall or a collision."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Research shows that there are significant reductions in bicycle-related head injuries in provinces where there is mandatory bicycle helmet legislation versus provinces and territories without such legislation.

"On behalf of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, I would like to applaud the Provincial Government for its commitment to improving the safety and well-being of the people of the province. Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the highest rates of bicycle-related injuries and hospitalizations in the country. We believe that this legislation will serve to protect cyclists and significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening and debilitating injuries, especially in children."
- Dr. Sandra Luscombe, Developmental Pediatrician and past president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association

The Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association (NLBIA) has been working to increase bicycle helmet use among the province's school-aged children with their "Wear a Helmet. Save a Brain" campaign.

"Prevention is the best strategy to protect against brain injury. A helmet absorbs the force of an impact to the head and shields the brain from injury. Brain injury happens in seconds but the effects last a lifetime. We see first-hand the effects of brain injury on thinking, memory, movement and personality so we are extremely pleased that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is taking this step to prevent brain injury though new legislation mandating helmet use."
- Dr. Michelle Ploughman, neuroscientist and board member NLBIA

The new legislation will exist side-by-side with municipal bylaws for those municipalities which have them. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Royal Canadian Mounted Police can enforce both provincial legislation and municipal by-laws. Municipal enforcement officers can continue to enforce municipal bylaws. Service NL will work with the Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, enforcement agencies and other partners to develop and implement a public awareness strategy to inform Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of this amendment.

QUICK FACTS

• Effective April 1, 2015, all bicyclists will be required to wear a bicycle helmet when cycling on public roadways in Newfoundland and Labrador. This amendment to the Highway Traffic Act will be introduced today in the House of Assembly.

• Service NL will work with the Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and other partners to develop and implement a public awareness strategy to inform the public of this new legislation.

• The research shows that there is a significant reduction in bicycle-related head injuries in provinces where there is mandatory bicycle helmet legislation versus the provinces and territories that do not have mandatory legislation.

• Fines for not wearing a bicycle helmet while riding will range from $25 to $180.

• Parents of children under 16 will be responsible if they knowingly allow their children to cycle without a helmet.

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Media contacts:

Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Service NL 709-729-4860, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca	Heather May Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca
John Carpenter Director, Communications & Public Affairs Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association 709-726-7424 (303), 691-0928 jcarpenter@nlma.nl.ca	Dr. Michelle Ploughman Neuroscientist and board member, the Newfoundland and Labrador Brain Injury Association 709-777-2099 michelle.ploughman@med.mun.ca

2014 12 09                              10:35 a.m.