RACV is reminding Victorians about the importance of wearing a helmet while using active transport such as bicycles and e-scooters as new data from Victoria Police reveals thousands of riders continue to ignore safety rules, risking severe head injuries.
Victoria Police issued 2,329 fines last year to Victorians for failing to wear a securely fitted and approved bicycle helmet, totalling more than $528,000. Over the past five years, more than 12,000 Victorians have been fined for not wearing a helmet.
This comes as already two bike riders have lost their lives on Victorian roads since the start of Calendar Year 2025. Over the last five years, an average of four Victorian bike riders have lost their lives riding each year.
RACV General Manager Mobility Julia Hunter said wearing a helmet is a simple but crucial step to reducing the risk of life-threatening injuries.
"A helmet can be the difference between a minor fall and a catastrophic head injury, and this Victoria Police data shows that too many Victorians are still putting themselves at risk unnecessarily," Ms Hunter said.
According to research cited by Transport Victoria, helmets can reduce the risk of serious head injuries by almost 70 per cent. Despite this, thousands of fines issued each year indicate that some riders are still taking unnecessary risks.
"We want to see a shift in rider behaviour where wearing a helmet is second nature, just like wearing a seatbelt in a car," Ms Hunter said.
"The reality is that crashes can happen to anyone, regardless of experience or confidence. Wearing a securely fitted helmet is not just the law in Victoria – it's a vital protection against serious harm."
Victorian road laws require all bike and e-scooter riders to wear an approved helmet whenever they ride. RACV also encourages Victorians to ensure their helmet is correctly fitted, as an ill-fitting helmet can reduce its effectiveness in a crash.
In partnership with Bicycle Network, RACV continues to support safer bike riding with the delivery of bicycle Ride2School education program in schools across the southeast in northwest of Melbourne.
