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Even though wearing a bicycling helmet is mandatory in British Columbia, less than 50 per cent of people wear one while biking.
Mandatory bicycling helmet use is the law for B.C., New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, while the legislation only applies to those 18 and under in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta. New data compiled by Statistics Canada shows that in provinces where the helmets are law for all, only 42 per cent of youth wear one while cycling. That number is even lower in provinces where the wearing a helmet is not mandatory, with only 23.5 per cent of youth reporting wearing a helmet.
Overall, 18- to 19-year-olds were least likely to always wear a helmet while bicycling. Snowboarders and skiers are most likely to wear a helmet, with 68 per cent of people reporting they wear one for both activities. Skateboarders are least likely to wear a helmet, with only 21.1 per cent saying they wear one while participating in the activity.
In Kelowna, helmets are required by law for both cyclists and motorcyclists. Cyclists are also not allowed to ride on a sidewalk unless otherwise directed by a traffic control device, or if the cyclist is under the age of 12 years.
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