# Motor Cycles (Protective Headgear) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999, Regulation 2: Protective headgear

Extent: N.I.

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), every person driving or riding (otherwise than in a side-car) on a motor bicycle or motor quadricycle when on a road shall wear protective headgear.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to any person driving or riding on a motor bicycle if—
(a) it is a mowing machine; or
(b) it is for the time being propelled by a person on foot.
(3) In this regulation—
“motor bicycle” means a two-wheeled motor cycle, whether or not having a side-car attached, and for the purposes of this definition where the distance measured between the centre of the area of contact with the road surface of any two wheels of a motor cycle is less than 460 millimetres, those wheels shall be counted as one wheel;
“motor quadricycle” means a four-wheeled motor vehicle which—
(a)has an unladen weight not exceeding 550 kilograms;
(b)is steered by handlebars; and
(c)is operated with the driver seated astride a seat which is mounted on the vehicle longitudinally;
“protective headgear” means a helmet which—
(a)either—
(i)bears a marking applied by its manufacturer indicating compliance with the specifications contained in one of the British Standards (whether or not as modified by any amendment) mentioned in the Schedule; or
(ii)is of a type manufactured for use by persons on motor cycles which by virtue of its shape, material and construction could reasonably be expected to afford to the wearer a degree of protection from accidental injury similar to or greater than that provided by a helmet of a type prescribed by regulation 3;
(b)if worn with a chin cup attached to or held in position by a strap, is provided with an additional strap (to be fastened under the wearer’s jaw) for securing the helmet to the head; and
(c)is securely fastened to the head by means of straps provided for that purpose; and
“strap” includes any fastening device.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1999/170/regulation/2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/motor-cycles-protective-headgear-regulations-northern-ireland-1999/regulation-2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.