National helmet coalitions are a key element of the FIA Foundation’s Motorcycle Initiative and of our support for the FIA Safe and Affordable Helmet Programme which aims to address a critical issue of motorcycle safety globally: provision of affordable helmets, suitable for tropical climates yet meeting UN safety standards.  

Along with the global increase in motorisation, the use of powered two-wheelers is growing rapidly around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Motorcycles account for a disproportionate fatality burden: 28% of global road traffic deaths, 375,000 each year, are among drivers or riders of motorised two or three wheelers. Head injuries are a leading cause of death in these crashes and studies found that properly used, standard motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of severe head injury by 69% and death by 42%. It is crucial that availability and access to high quality head protection is ensured. 

A multi-sectoral approach is being used which seeks to advocate for greater use of helmets via the creation of the coalitions, bringing together multiple key stakeholders from government, civil society and the private sector to contribute to developing long term solutions to improving access to safe, high quality yet affordable helmets and increase wearability rates across the country. Implementation of programmes that set and enforce mandatory helmet legislation is necessary, however comprehensive legislation governing use and standards of motorcycle crash helmets is often missing. National helmet coalitions tackle these issues as well as work towards securing and leveraging additional funds for ongoing activities and initiating regional dialog.  

The first coalition was launched by NGO Transaid in Kenya, which has amongst the highest road traffic death rates in Africa, with almost 12,500 annual traffic-related deaths. The majority of the estimated 1.4 million motorcycles in Kenya are used by ‘boda boda taxi riders and passengers.’ Whilst compulsory motorcycle helmet use laws exist, enforcement is currently inconsistent and helmet use is low. Learn more about the Kenyan National Helmet Coalition. 

Increasing motorcycle use in the Americas has resulted in a significant increase in motorcyclist fatalities and injuries. This trend is particularly pronounced in Mexico, where motorcyclists represented just 6% of road fatalities in 2000 but today make up a quarter of all road deaths. The Mexico National Helmet Coalition is led by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) in collaboration with FIA clubs.