Jersey States make cycle helmets compulsory

The law was delayed by three months to give parents time to buy a helmet

Children under the age of 14 will have to wear a helmet when cycling after a new law came into force in Jersey.

The legislation was originally approved in July but the Transport and Technical Services Department decided to delay its introduction until October.

The department says this was to give parents time to buy helmets that met international standards.

Children aged 13 years and under have to wear the protection when riding a bicycle on a road or cycle track.

The law also applies to children in a trailer drawn by a bicycle. The helmet must be correctly sized for the child, adjusted and positioned to fit securely.

People failing to wear helmets could face a fine of up to £50, although transport minister, Deputy Kevin Lewis said this was unlikely.

He said the legislation would be "sensibly enforced" so children failing to wear helmets could be dealt with by the parish hall or a warning.

Previous attempts to make helmets compulsory for all cyclists had been rejected.