No federal law in the United States requires anyone to wear a bicycle helmet. Helmet requirements are set at the state and local level, and they apply almost exclusively to children and teenagers. As of January 2022, 21 states and the District of Columbia have bicycle helmet laws on the books, along with more than 201 cities and counties that have their own ordinances. Every one of these laws targets riders under a certain age, typically 16 or younger.
State-by-State Age Requirements
State helmet laws vary widely in who they cover. Some states require helmets only for very young riders, while others extend the requirement through age 17. Here’s how the current laws break down by age threshold:
17 and younger:
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- New Mexico
16 and younger:
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
15 and younger:
- Alabama
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Maryland
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
14 and younger:
- West Virginia
13 and younger:
- New York
11 and younger:
- Pennsylvania
If your state isn’t on this list, it has no statewide helmet law. That includes large states like Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear, because local laws can fill the gap.
City and County Laws Can Go Further
More than 201 municipalities and counties across the country have their own bicycle helmet ordinances, and these often cover riders that state law does not. Some local ordinances require helmets for all ages, not just minors. Others set a higher age cutoff than the state law or apply specifically to certain areas like public parks and bike paths.
This means you could live in a state with no helmet law and still be required to wear one within your city limits. The only way to know for sure is to check your local municipal code. Your city’s transportation or public safety department will have the details, and many post them online.
Passengers Count Too
Helmet laws don’t just apply to the person pedaling. If you’re carrying a child as a passenger on your bike, in a child seat, or in a trailer, that child is covered by the same age-based rules. California and New York were actually the first states to pass helmet legislation back in the late 1980s, and those early laws specifically targeted bicycle passengers age five and younger. New Jersey became the first state to require helmets for children actively riding bikes, passing its law in 1992 for riders and passengers under 14.
Adults Are Rarely Required by Law
No U.S. state requires adult cyclists to wear helmets. A handful of cities and counties do have all-ages ordinances, but they are the exception. For adults, helmet use is a personal choice in the vast majority of the country. Bikeshare programs and rental services generally recommend helmets but don’t enforce the requirement either. Most allow you to check out a bike without one, though their terms of use typically remind you to follow local laws.
What a Legal Helmet Looks Like
Where helmets are required, the law expects you to wear one that meets the safety standard set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Every bicycle helmet sold in the United States must comply with this standard, which tests how well the helmet absorbs impact from falls and crashes. You can verify compliance by looking for a certification label inside the helmet. If the label is missing or the helmet is damaged, it may not satisfy the legal requirement.
Old helmets that predate the CPSC standard, novelty helmets, or helmets designed for other sports like skateboarding (unless they carry CPSC bicycle certification) may not qualify.
Why Helmets Matter Beyond the Law
The legal requirements stop at age 17 at most, but the safety case for helmets applies to every rider. A Cochrane systematic review of the available research found that helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 85%, brain injury by 88%, and severe brain injury by at least 75%. They also cut the risk of injuries to the upper and mid face by 65%. These numbers hold across all age groups, not just children.
Head injuries are the leading cause of death and serious disability in bicycle crashes. The protection a helmet offers is substantial relative to the cost and minor inconvenience. Whether or not your state or city requires it, the evidence strongly supports wearing one every time you ride.