In summary, it appears if you race in sterile conditions (crits/xc/closed road/track) you are exempt...

Bicycle Helmets Regulation
At the last meeting of the Cycling Australia Board of Management the Technical Regulations relating to the use of suitably approved helmets in cycling events were reviewed and have been amended accordingly. The review included reference to the Australian Road Rules, liaison with the respective road and traffic authorities of NSW, Victoria and South Australia and a number of bike helmet importers. Liaison also took place with Standards Australia and SI Global.

The Australian Road Rules clearly demand that a bicycle helmet must meet the Australian / New Zealand Standards. The AS/NZ 2063 Standard does not recognise any other standard helmet from any other country. Accordingly, only helmets that meet and carry the AS/ NZ Standards approval are permitted for use on Australian Roads – including road races conducted under the auspices of CA and its affiliates.

The revised Rule 3.5 below now reflects that in general road racing conditions the mandatory wearing of helmets that comply with AS/NZ 2063 must apply;

3.5. HELMETS

3.5.1. An approved helmet shall be worn at all times during competition, warming up for an event or when riding on the road at a race meeting.

3.5.2. In all Road events conducted by Cycling Australia and its affiliates, subject to rules 3.5.3 and 3.5.4 below, helmets must meet the requirements of the Australian Standards Association AS/NZ 2063.

3.5.3. In any International event where overseas or professionally contracted riders with a UCI registered team are competing, these cyclists must wear a helmet that meets the requirements of the Australian Standards Association AS/NZ 2063; or can be identified as a UCI approved helmet or an equivalent Standard Type Approval of another country.

In such events, the promoter must apply to conduct the event under an exemption permitting the wearing of non-Australian Standard helmets. Such an application must be made under the special events legislation of the respective State in which the event is being conducted.

The events for which such an application may be sought include, but may not be limited to;

UCI RoadWorld Cups (Men and Women)
One-day Road Races or multi-stage Tours which have been approved for inclusion on the UCI calendar.
The Australian Open Road Championships or similar event, whereoverseas or professionally contracted riders with a UCI registered team are competing and the results contribute to UCI ranking points.
3.5.4. In all Track, Mountainbike Cross Country or Road events conducted in fully sterile conditions by Cycling Australia and its affiliates, helmets must meet the requirements of the Australian Standards Association AS/NZ 2063; or can be identified as a UCI approved helmet or an equivalent Standard Type Approval of another country.

The amended technical regulation (Rule 3.5) listed above will become effective from 1 September 2005. However, commissaires are encouraged to operate under these conditions immediately and issue warnings to riders found with unapproved helmets up until the above date.

Failure to comply with this regulation will result in exclusion from starting in an event. It is also important to note that the wearing of a non-compliant helmet may result in the voiding of insurance cover for any injuries received in such circumstances.

As you will note there are only two cases for exemption to the wearing of helmets compliant with AS/NZ 2063:

1. Sterile Conditions

Where a cycling event is conducted under fully sterile conditions – track racing, closed circuit road or criterium circuits, off-road MTB XC – the application of AS/NZ 2063 does not strictly apply. Nevertheless, the wearing of a helmet with either an Australian or international standards approval remains a mandatory requirement. It is important to note that a ‘rolling road closure’ is not considered to be ‘sterile conditions’ as the supervision of police or local road & traffic authority is still required. However, CA would encourage all participants to use a common AS/NZ approved helmet for all cycling disciplines.

2. UCI Calendar Events

An exemption may be sought for UCI calendar events where international and pro-contract riders wearing helmets approved in other countries, may be worn. The helmet standards recognised by the UCI include EN1078 (Europe), ANSI and SNELL (USA).

The use of helmets which do not comply with Australian & New Zealand Standards on Australian Roads is covered under Special Events Legislation, and while this process may vary slightly from state to state, essentially all states have a process for the approval of helmets which do not comply with AS/NZ 2063.

The Promoter of an international event (refer 3.5.3) is required to write to their respective State Authority and provide the following information for seeking an exemption from compliance with Australian Road Rule 256 – Bicycle Helmets. The exemption should address the following criteria.

1. The event for which an exemption is being sought.
2. The scope of the exemption dates and time.
3. The reasons for the exemption – International cyclists with professional contracts / sponsorship
4. Why it does not constitute a danger – refer to UCI approved helmets which are recognised in other countries
5. Any other reason

Anyone seeking further information on this matter and for promoters requiring contacts for appropriate State Authorities, please contact Ron Bonham (National Technical Director) or Graham Fredericks (CEO) at the CA office.

Yours sincerely,

Graham Fredericks