Portugal’s controversial 2020 National Road Safety Strategy program (PENSE2020) has dropped studying mandatory helmet laws for cyclists, after strong public opposition. Shortly after being launched for public consultation, in the midst of the Christmas holiday season, over 600 cyclists marched throughout Lisbon urging for the helmet proposal to be dropped.
The Road Authority stated that there were over 500 written contributions from citizens and bicycle mobility associations, many of which demanding for helmet laws not to go ahead. Both FPCUB and MUBi sent public letters regarding the mistakes in the Road Strategy’s proposal, with a particular focus on the negative effects of mandatory bicycle helmets.
On the other hand, a public petition signed by over 10,000 people requiring better conditions for cyclists and a meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs was delivered in parliament by MUBi, Estrada Viva (a vulnerable road users organization), and the Portuguese Sports Cyclists Federation (FPC/UVP). The date for that parliamentary discussion or the reply from the Minister for the meeting hasn’t been announced yet, but by law, it must be answered and discussed and should provide legal results for improving conditions bicycle users in specific, but also for pedestrians.
Portugal's 2013 Road Code increased cyclists rights substantially, didn't introduce mandatory helmets, and introduced more rights on the roadway, especially due to the public's inputs, and ECF-members FPCUB and MUBi. Portugal had the largest drop in road deaths in Europe from 2010 to 2015 (37%, vs. EU average 17%), and cyclist deaths dropped by 44%, from 45 in 2011 to 25 in 2015, while bicycle use has exploded nationwide. For example, figures for two major arteries in the country's largest city, Lisbon, point to a 17-fold increase in bicycle traffic between 2009 and 2016.
Despite the victory regarding studying helmet laws, there is still an important negative issue to be dealt with by bicycle users associations, since national police (PSP) and the national republican guard (GNR) have recently been recommending helmet use by cyclists, despite no legal framework for such communication. On the other hand the petition delivered in parliament hasn't been answered yet, and the Road Safety Authority (ANSR) hasn't met with cycling advocacy groups yet, and hasn't mandated any effective campaign against excessive car speeds, close passes upon cyclists and/or illegal parking by car drivers on bikeways and sidewalks.
Ceri Woolsgrove, the ECF Policy officer on the Portugal victory; "Excellent lobbying activities in Portugal has seen some great results for cycling safety and promotion. Dropping the mandatory helmet proposal will remove a barrier to the uptake of cycling and the new road code will improve cycling safety. It is to be applauded that the Portuguese public authorities have listened to public pressure and cycling associations. We sincerely hope that this dialogue continues in order to improve cycling safety in the future, particularly regarding vehicle speeds which are a major road safety factor and are being reduced throughout Europe."
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© Bernardo Pereira,, 2017 - Bernardo Pereira is an architect and cycling expert who has been active in many active mobility urban projects.
Road Safety 2020 (PENSE2020) program guidelines (in Portuguese)
