Most states have no universal adult rule; 21 states and D.C. require helmets for kids, with ages set between 11 and 17.
Bicycle rules live at the state and city level. That’s why a rider who is fine in one place can cross a line and face a ticket in the next town. This guide gives you a clear roll-up of statewide bicycle helmet laws by age, the states with no statewide rule, and smart ways to check local ordinances before you ride.
Bike Helmet Laws By State And Age (Quick Scan)
Here’s the fast look many riders want. It lists every state with a statewide bicycle helmet requirement, plus the age cutoff set in statute. If your state isn’t in this table, skip down to the section on states with no statewide helmet law.
| State | Who Must Wear A Helmet | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| California | 17 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Connecticut | 17 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Delaware | 17 and younger | Statewide rule |
| District of Columbia | 15 and younger | Citywide rule |
| Florida | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Georgia | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Hawaii | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Louisiana | 11 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Maine | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Maryland | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Massachusetts | 16 and younger | Statewide rule |
| New Hampshire | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| New Jersey | 16 and younger | Statewide rule |
| New Mexico | 17 and younger | Statewide rule |
| New York | 13 and younger | Statewide rule |
| North Carolina | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Oregon | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Pennsylvania | 11 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Rhode Island | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| Tennessee | 15 and younger | Statewide rule |
| West Virginia | 14 and younger | Statewide rule |
Which States Have Bike Helmet Laws?
If you came in asking “which states have bike helmet laws?” you just saw the list with age cutoffs. Every state in that table has a statewide bicycle helmet requirement for minors. Adults can ride without a helmet at the state level in all 50 states. That said, some counties and cities do require helmets for all ages, so the next block shows how to check before you roll.
How To Check Local Rules Fast
Local rules sit in city or county code. They can add an all-ages requirement or set a different age line than the state. Before a trip or a big ride, do this quick check:
- Search: “your city municipal code bicycle helmet.” Add the county name if the city search is thin.
- Scan the “bicycles” or “traffic” chapter. Look for a section that uses the words “helmet” and “bicycle.”
- Confirm the date on the page. City sites often mark the last update near the top or bottom.
- If you can’t find a code page, call the non-emergency line for the local police department and ask for a section number.
Why You See Different Age Lines
States pick different age cutoffs. The line often lands at 15–17, with a few set at 11 or 13. Some states once had active local all-ages rules that later changed. Helmet debates shift over time, and city councils revise rules to match goals, bike share growth, and street design updates.
What About Adults?
At the statewide level, no state requires adults to wear a bicycle helmet. Some local jurisdictions do, and those rules apply once you cross into that city or county. If you ride a bike share, the operator may post a reminder or offer a rental lid, but the legal bar comes from state or local code.
Travel Notes, Edge Cases, And E-Bikes
Travel adds extra wrinkles. A racer visiting from out of town might land in a city with an all-ages rule. A parent might ride with a child in a trailer where the child’s age triggers the rule. E-bike classes add one more layer, since some states write separate helmet rules for Class 3 riders. Always match the class printed on the frame label or owner’s card to the rule text in that state or city.
Where To Verify The Law Text
Two sources are handy when you need statute language. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety keeps a current table of state helmet rules by age, with a date stamp. You’ll find it here: IIHS bicycle helmet use laws. For the adult-law question, NHTSA’s bicycle-safety guide notes that no state has enacted a universal adult bicycle helmet law: see NHTSA universal bicycle helmet laws. Both pages link onward to statutes and related resources.
How To Read Your State’s Rule
Every statute uses a few common terms. Here’s how to read them so you don’t miss a detail:
Age Line
This is the cutoff at which the state says a rider or passenger must wear a helmet. The wording can say “under 16” or “15 and younger.” That small shift matters. “Under 16” means a 15-year-old must wear one; “15 and younger” reads the same, but some codes define ages elsewhere. When in doubt, check the definitions section of the code tier.
Who Counts As A Passenger
Rules usually apply to both the rider and any passenger. A child in a mounted seat, a trailer, or a cargo box counts as a passenger. The adult pedaling the bike may not be covered by a state law but can still be covered by a city rule.
Where The Rule Applies
Most state laws apply on public roads, bike lanes, and shared-use paths. A few city codes extend to parks or school grounds. Signage can change at a trailhead, so a quick glance at posted rules helps.
What Counts As A Helmet
U.S. rules rest on Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. Look for the CPSC label inside the shell. If you shop abroad and bring a lid home, match the label to U.S. standards before riding on public roads here.
Penalty, Enforcement, And Real-World Practice
Most state statutes set a small fine for a first offense. Courts often allow a parent or guardian to show proof of purchase or a safety class to waive or reduce the fine. Tickets are rare on quiet residential streets and more likely around schools, downtown cores, and popular trailheads during peak hours.
Common Situations Riders Ask About
Bike Share And Visitors
Tourists love bike share systems, which often serve areas with extra local rules. Stations post safety tips, but the statute still sets the legal line. If you plan to ride across city borders, stash a folding helmet to stay covered.
Trailers, Cargo Bikes, And Child Seats
If the rider is under the state’s age line, the helmet rule applies. If the passenger is under the line, the passenger must wear a helmet too. Cargo setups don’t change that.
Skateboards, Scooters, And E-Bikes
Some states write separate rules for other devices, and the age line can be different. Class 3 e-bikes, in particular, often carry a higher bar. Always match the device to the code section that names it.
States Without A Statewide Bicycle Helmet Law
These states do not have a statewide bicycle helmet requirement. Many have local ordinances that apply in certain cities or counties. If you live here or plan a ride, do a local code check. People searching “which states have bike helmet laws?” often land here because they want to know whether their state leaves the choice to local governments.
| State | Statewide Rule? | Local Ordinances |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | No | Check city/county code |
| Arizona | No | Check city/county code |
| Arkansas | No | Check city/county code |
| Colorado | No | Check city/county code |
| Idaho | No | Check city/county code |
| Illinois | No | Check city/county code |
| Indiana | No | Check city/county code |
| Iowa | No | Check city/county code |
| Kansas | No | Check city/county code |
| Kentucky | No | Check city/county code |
| Michigan | No | Check city/county code |
| Minnesota | No | Check city/county code |
| Mississippi | No | Check city/county code |
| Missouri | No | Check city/county code |
| Montana | No | Check city/county code |
| Nebraska | No | Check city/county code |
| Nevada | No | Check city/county code |
| North Dakota | No | Check city/county code |
| Ohio | No | Check city/county code |
| Oklahoma | No | Check city/county code |
| South Carolina | No | Check city/county code |
| South Dakota | No | Check city/county code |
| Texas | No | Check city/county code |
| Utah | No | Check city/county code |
| Vermont | No | Check city/county code |
| Virginia | No | Check city/county code |
| Washington | No | Check city/county code |
| Wisconsin | No | Check city/county code |
| Wyoming | No | Check city/county code |
Quick Tips To Stay On The Right Side Of The Rule
Pack A Helmet When You Cross Borders
A compact, fold-flat model solves the “city A to city B” issue. Toss it in a daypack so you’re covered if a trail or bridge crosses into a place with an all-ages rule.
Match The Device To The Rule
If you ride a Class 3 e-bike, check for a higher bar in your state code. Some states ask for a helmet at 16 or 17 for that class while setting a lower line for other bikes.
Teach The Habit Early
Kids grow fast. Straps slip. A quick fit check before each ride saves time later. Look for snug side straps, a level shell, and a chinstrap that fits two fingers under the buckle.
Method And Sources
This page compiles the state-by-state list from the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety table with a date stamp of November 2025. The adult-law statement is aligned with NHTSA’s bicycle-safety guide. For a ride next month, run a fresh check of those links and your local code.