Summary: There is no federal law in the U.S. requiring bicycle helmets. … At present, 22 States including the District of Columbia have state-wide laws, and more than 201 localities have local ordinances. Riders of electric bikes are required in some states listed on this page in detail and noted below to wear helmets.
Are bike helmets mandatory?
In California, anyone aged 18 and under operating a bicycle, scooter or skateboard, or using roller skates must legally wear a bicycle helmet. For adults with little kiddos, bike passengers who are aged 5 and under must also legally wear a helmet.
When did bicycle helmets become law?
According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, bicycle helmet laws began being adopted in 1987 to reduce the number of injuries and deaths among bike riders. California was the first state to propose a helmet law in the year 1986.
What happens if you don’t wear a helmet on a bike?
Bike accidents without helmets are far more likely to result in death or brain trauma than ones where the cyclist’s head was properly protected. In 2014, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, over 60% of deaths in bicycle crashes were people who were NOT wearing a helmet.
What age do kids stop wearing bike helmets?
California: State law requires all riders under 18 years of age to wear a helmet when on a bicycle. In addition to bicycles, all youth under 18 are also required to wear a helmet when on scooters, skateboards, and inline skates.
Is it uncool to wear a helmet?
Why people DON’T wear helmets:
Wearing a helmet won’t really protect against life-threatening injuries. Helmets look uncool. … A French study in 2006 showed that pedestrians are 1.4 times more likely to receive a traumatic brain injury than an unhelmeted cyclist.
Do bike helmet laws save lives?
California has a universal helmet law that applies to all bikers, pursuant to California Vehicle Code, Division 12, Chapter 5, Article 7, Section 27803. … Research shows that states that implemented a universal helmet law significantly increased helmet use also reducing injury and fatality rates.