Is wearing a helmet on a bicycle mandatory in Australia, New Zealand, elsewhere?

[Stefan Mikes]

As of 1st October 2026, Spain is introducing new bicycle related laws. These:

• Protect the cyclists by specific requirements for the drivers
• Forbid riding unsafely (wearing headphones, smartphones held in hand, other distractions)
• Require wearing a helmet:
  • On all bicycles in interurban areas
  • On delivery bikes/e-bikes in urban areas plus wearing a reflective vest.

My correspondents in Poland claim wearing a helmet is mandatory, i.e., in Australia and New Zealand.

• True or false?
• Is this law being observed?

Thank you for any response.

@Aushiker, @peterh_nz ?