OpenLegislation

Regulation 2 Protective headgearI1

Northern Ireland

(1)

Save as provided in paragraph (2), every person driving or riding (otherwise than in a side-car) on a motor bicycle F1or 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;

  • F2“motor quadricycle” means a four-wheeled motor vehicle which—

    1. (a)

      has an unladen weight not exceeding 550 kilograms;

    2. (b)

      is steered by handlebars; and

    3. (c)

      is operated with the driver seated astride a seat which is mounted on the vehicle longitudinally;

  • “protective headgear” means a helmet which—

    1. (a)

      either—

      1. (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

      2. (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;

    2. (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

    3. (c)

      is securely fastened to the head by means of straps provided for that purpose; and

  • “strap” includes any fastening device.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (30.6.2017) by The Motor Cycles (Protective Headgear) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/89), regs. 1, 2(2)(a)

F2

Words in reg. 2(3) inserted (30.6.2017) by The Motor Cycles (Protective Headgear) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/89), regs. 1, 2(2)(b)(i)

Commencement

I1

Reg. 2 in operation at 12.5.1999, see reg. 1(1)