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HELMET ON QUADS AND TRIKES
Trevor Baird, General Secretary of MAG writes:
A query from a member regarding Trikes and Helmets. The response might be helpful for any queries you receive in the future.
"This is from the online Highway code - It seems that they have stated that helmets are required whilst riding a trike/quads."
"Someone we know has just sat a driving course and has been told that if it's in the Highway code then it is law - how did this get passed without anyone knowing??"
Highway Code
83-88: Rules for motorcyclists
These Rules are in addition to those in the following sections which apply to all vehicles. See also 'Motorcycle licence requirements'.
Motorcycle licence requirements
General
83. On all journeys, the rider and pillion passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped MUST wear a protective helmet.
This does not apply to a follower of the Sikh religion while wearing a turban.
Helmets MUST comply with the Regulations and they MUST be fastened securely. Riders and passengers of motor tricycles and quadricycles, also called quadbikes, should also wear a protective helmet.
Before each journey check that your helmet visor is clean and in good condition.
[Laws RTA 1988 sects 16 & 17 & MC(PH)R as amended reg 4]
As the highway code says "should" this is advice the "MUST" is in bold in the Highway Code so that part is law.
See Highway Code Here
If you go Here there is a comprehensive cover of Trike Law.
About three quarters of the way down there is a section, "Do I Need To Wear A Helmet When Riding A Trike?" it’s all in there including a link to the regulations.
So the answer is NO you do not have to wear a helmet when riding a trike.
However, there is a campaign at the moment which is seeking to make it compulsory for quad riders to wear a helmet.
Partly due to the high-profile of fatalities that have been reported in the news.
See www.helmetsonquadbikes.co.uk so we need to keep a watch on this in case Trikes get included in any changes to the legislation.
Just as an aside. We believe that if the vehicle is an open topped car without a windscreen then the driver has to wear a helmet, not sure about the passenger.
If you know the answer drop us a line to Network communications-officer@mag-uk.org
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