Bicycle Helmet Laws By State Us Bicycle Helmet Laws By State Anne S Travels

Bicycle helmet laws by the us states.

Bike helmet with lights. There are 13 states which have no state wide or local helmet laws. Some countries and lower jurisdictions have enacted laws or regulations which require cyclists to wear a helmet in certain circumstances typically when riding on the road or a road related area such as a bicycle lane or path. Many states have put laws into place requiring the use of a helmet but what exactly are the laws.

There is no comprehensive federal legislation covering bicycle helmets at this time. States began to adopt laws on wearing helmets for bicycle riding in 1987. If youre 18 or under youre required to wear a helmet at all times.

In some places this requirement applies only to children under a certain age while in others it applies to cyclists of all ages. There are a total of 22 state laws for bicycle helmets and 201 local laws. In a majority of bicyclist deaths the most serious injuries are to the head.

Twenty one 21 states and the district of columbia require bicycle helmets for children mostly 15 and younger with some exception. Each year about 2 of motor vehicle crash deaths are bicyclists. This also applies to passengers who ride in an attached trailer or semi trailer.

The case for nationwide bicycle helmet laws a study of over 64000 cyclists concluded that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 51 the risk of serious head injury by 69 and the risk of fatal head injury by 65. The states and localities below began adopting laws in 1987. Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of serious head injuries in forceful impacts but more than half of americans who ride a bike skateboard or scooter dont wear one.

Bicycle helmet laws have recently been cropping up across america at both the state and local levels. Much like motorcycle helmet laws bicycle helmet laws vary state to state. States require the use of helmets by riders under a certain age.

In each of the following states ill discuss the required age possible fines and whether municipalities legislated other rules. States that have bicycle helmet laws in all counties include the following. B no child fifteen years of age or under shall operate a bicycle electric bicycle nonmotorized scooter skateboard or electric foot scooter or wear roller skates or in line skates on the traveled portion of any highway at a skateboarding park or any park unless such child is wearing properly fitted and fastened protective headgear which conforms to the.

No state currently requires helmets for adult bicyclists but just under half of us. Approximately half of the states have some sort of law on the books that requires a child to wear a helmet and there are also several cities and. There is no federal law in the us.