22. GRSP noted GRSP-57-06, aimed at devising a possible definition of bikes assisted by an electric engine (pedalex) and the implication of mandatory wearing of helmets type approved according to UN Regulation No. 22. The expert from EC stated that pedalex vehicles were a green alternative to be encouraged and not bogged down by the mandatory use of bulky helmets. Therefore, he suggested to create a new class of helmets in UN Regulation No. 22 addressing riders of pedalex vehicles. The expert from the Netherlands stated that currently it was not possible to design proper ventilated helmets according to UN Regulation No. 22. He added that there was not enough market and business interest to develop aerated helmets and further research would be needed. He underlined the limits of GRSP experts to solve this issue and encouraged further research. The expert from France opposed the creation of a subclass of helmets into UN Regulation No. 22. He added that the UN Regulation provides all construction principles to allow the design of helmets for high speed bicycles. The expert from Italy made a similar statement opposing the creation of a new class of helmets into the UN Regulation. He stressed the need to protect riders of high speed bicycles that should be considered motorcycles for the level of risk they imply. He finally stated that UN Regulation No. 22 was providing the proper design solution to address this kind of vehicles. The expert from Korea echoed the statement from the experts from EC and the Netherlands and informed GRSP that the lack of success of UN Regulation No. 22 in South East Asian countries was due to the lack of adequate provisions to cope with the mobility needs of tropical countries. The expert from the United States of America informed GRSP that a new NPRM had been recently issued to amend current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 218) to increase helmet wearing. GRSP noted a draft publication (GRSP-57-27), tabled by UNECE secretariat to improve awareness of UN Regulation No. 22 worldwide. GRSP requested his experts to provide the secretariat by first of June 2015 (close of business) information and comments to improve the draft publication.

24. GRSP resumed discussion on the issue of safety users of two-wheeler user safety, including riders of bikes assisted by an electric engine (pedalex) and the implications on drivers of the mandatory wearing by the driver of helmets that are type approved according to Regulation No. 22. The expert from France expressed concerns on viable enforcement rules if helmets with lower safety performances would be for ride two-wheelers at high speed. The expert from EC reiterated his statement that green alternatives such as electric bikes should be encouraged and not stifled by the use of bulky helmets. The expert from the Netherlands informed GRSP about a national initiative aimed at developing a standard on helmets dedicated to pedalex. He clarified that such a standard would promote helmets with higher level of safety than bike helmets and clear identification. He finally announced to provide full information would be provided at the May 2017 session of GRSP. The expert from the Russian Federation supported the comment of the experts from EC and the Netherland. The expert from Sweden suggested a more active participation from helmet manufacturers in the discussion so as to explain rationales to develop proper requirements for pedalex bike helmets. The expert from the United Kingdom clarified that motorcyclists make up 1 per cent of road traffic but 20 percent of fatalities in his country. He shared concerns on the enforceability of an alternative standard. He opposed the incorporation of alternative set of requirements in Regulation No. 22 as the existing requirements were technology neutral and already offered appropriate flexibility. The experts from Denmark, Italy and Poland argued that helmet safety should be independent of the propulsion type but rather focus on speed: the severity of injuries above 25 km/h is the same for pedalex as for motorcycles.

25. Finally, GRSP agreed to encourage the participation of helmet experts from the industry to adapt the design requirements of Regulation No. 22. At the same time, it was agreed to resume consideration of this agenda item at its May 2017 session including the harmonization of head-forms in the Regulation.