Polish parliament makes protective helmets mandatory for cyclists under 16
The Sejm, lower house of the Polish parliament, has voted for a bill introducing mandatory helmets to be worn by children younger than 16 years of age who ride bicycles, e-scooters and other personal transport devices.
The bill was passed on Friday on 241 votes, with 28 against and 174 abstaining.
The amended road traffic bill provides for mandatory helmet use by riders younger than 16, also when accompanied by a parent or legal custodian.
The new regulation contains several other changes, including the return of issuing driver's licenses for those who have reached the age of 17, subject to consent by a parent or custodian and to other limitations, such as lower speed limits and a ban on drivers of that age working for ride-hailing services.
The Sejm has also voted for extending the current regulation under which drivers who go beyond the speed limit in a built-up area by more than 50 km/h lose their driving licenses. According to the new bill, police will take away the driver's license for breaking that limit, also on single-lane two-way roads in non-built-up areas. (PAP)
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