Bicycle Helmet Laws

Helmet laws are a controversial issue in the larger discussion of bike safety in the United States. Many states have at least one, if not many, helmet laws by jurisdiction. Some states still don’t have helmet laws, while others have a statewide statute requiring helmets, and still others leave it up to local jurisdictions to set helmet laws. Many bike helmet laws require that only minors wear helmets. For example, California only those bike riders under the age of 17 must wear a helmet.

Many believe these helmet laws should extend to all bike riders-after all adults are equally vulnerable to head injuries in bike accidents as children are. However, the issue of personal choice, the drawback of helmet costs, and other issues are still argued by some adult cyclists. Regardless of the law, more and more adult cyclists wear helmets voluntarily because they know how important they are to safety.

Those in support of mandatory helmet laws for all bike riders cite compelling evidence about the value of helmets in preventing as many as 88% of potential brain injuries and other head injuries in serious accidents.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bike accident, it is important to contact a qualified attorney who can evaluate your case to determine how you can protect your rights and recover your losses. Even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries.

The following is a chart that shows helmet laws by state, as reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Highway Loss Data Institute. Note that local laws may require all bicyclists to wear a helmet.