RSA Study Shows Decline in Helmet Wearing Among Cyclists and E-Scooter Riders

High Visibility Clothing Usage Remain a Concern

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has today published the findings of its Motorcyclist & Pedal Cyclist Use of High Visibility Clothing and Helmet Wearing Observational Survey 2025, revealing worrying declines in helmet wearing among pedal cyclists and e-scooter users, alongside persistently low levels of high-visibility clothing use across all bike categories.

Helmet Wearing – Key Findings

• Very high helmet wearing rates were observed once again among motorcyclists, at 98%, and this result is consistent with the findings from past studies.
• Much lower helmet wearing rates were observed among pedal cyclists, at 50%. This represents a decrease of 7% from 2024.
• A significant fall in helmet wearing rates among e-scooter riders, at 27%, down 15% from last year.

Usage of High Visibility Clothing – Key Findings

• A 10-year downward trend has been observed in rates of high visibility clothing usage among motorcyclists and pedal cyclists.
• 28% of motorcyclists wore high visibility clothing, a slight increase from 2024, and 20% of pedal cyclists wore high visibility clothing, unchanged from 2024.
• Only 19% of e-scooter riders wore high visibility clothing, representing a slight increase year-on-year.

This year marks the second year in which helmet and high-visibility use among e-scooter riders was included in the study. As can be seen in the key findings above, while rates of high-visibility clothing usage among e-scooter users remained largely unchanged year-on-year, a significant fall in helmet wearing was witnessed.

Although e-scooter riders are not legally required to wear helmets, the RSA is reiterating its strong recommendation that all riders use a bicycle helmet and wear high-visibility clothing such as a reflective vest, particularly at night or in poor daylight.

The report comes following the launch by An Garda Síochána of its nationwide visibility campaign, “Can You See Me Now?”, highlighting the critical importance of being seen on Irish roads, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter riders and motorcyclists.

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said: “While we welcome the continued strong compliance with helmet wearing among motorcyclists, the decline among pedal cyclists and e-scooter riders is deeply concerning. A decision to wear a helmet - or to make yourself more visible - can be the difference between a minor incident and a life-altering one. As we head into darker winter months, I urge all road users to take every possible step to protect themselves and others.”

Observations for the RSA survey were collected at 150 sites across 10 major urban centres in August 2025, analysing high-visibility and helmet-wearing behaviours across gender, time of day, region and bike category.

The full report is available at https://www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/road-safety/r4.1-research-reports/safe-road-use/use-of-high-visibility-clothing-and-helmet-wearing-2025.pdf?sfvrsn=ddfe5c83_1