Just two days ago, the transport ministry of Malta
announced their repeal of their mandatory bicycle helmet law as part of a
package of incentives to increase bicycling. This is fantastic news, not only
because it adds Malta to the growing list of places repealing these harmful
laws, but because Malta’s officials have recognized the harm their helmet law
had caused. This makes Malta an excellent example for other places – cities,
regions, and nations – also considering repealing their mandatory bicycle
helmet laws.
Monday’s article from Times Malta highlights this
helmet law repeal and lists other incentives the government is taking to
increase bicycling. The article starts:
A series of initiatives to encourage
the use of bicycles was announced on Monday by Finance Minister Edward Scicluna
and Transport Minister Ian Borg. Listed among them is the removal of the
obligation of using a bicycle helmet, especially when renting pedelecs.