The short version: no federal law and no state law requires an adult on a regular bike to wear a helmet. 21 states and Washington, DC, require one for kids, and a number of cities and counties have their own helmet ordinances, some of which also cover adults. E-bikes add a layer: Class 3 riders usually need a helmet at any age.
Last checked: October 19, 2026. This is a summary, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state, county and city, so check your state’s vehicle code and your local ordinances.
Bike helmet laws by state
These are the statewide laws for riders of regular bicycles, as listed by the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) in its August 2026 revision. “Passenger” means a child carried in a bike seat or trailer.
| State | Who must wear a helmet | Enacted |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Riders under 16 | 1995 |
| California | Riders under 18; passengers under 5 | 1994 (riders), 1987 (passengers) |
| Connecticut | Riders under 16 | 1993, 1997 |
| Delaware | Riders under 18 | 1996 |
| District of Columbia | Riders under 16 | 2000, 2004 |
| Florida | Riders and passengers under 16 | 1997 |
| Georgia | Riders under 16 | 1993 |
| Hawaii | Riders under 18 | 2001, 2026 |
| Louisiana | Riders under 12 | 2002 |
| Maine | Riders under 16 | 1999 |
| Maryland | Riders under 16 | 1995 |
| Massachusetts | Riders under 17; passengers under 5 | 1994, 2004 (riders), 1990 (passengers) |
| New Hampshire | Riders under 16 | 2006 |
| New Jersey | Riders under 17 | 1992, 2005 |
| New Mexico | Riders under 18 | 2007 |
| New York | Riders under 14; passengers under 5 | 1994, 2004 (riders), 1989 (passengers) |
| North Carolina | Riders under 16 | 2001 |
| Oregon | Riders under 16 | 1994 |
| Pennsylvania | Riders under 12 | 1995 |
| Rhode Island | Riders under 16 | 1996, 1998, 2007 |
| Tennessee | Riders under 16 | 1994, 2000 |
| West Virginia | Riders under 15 | 1996 |
No statewide helmet law for regular bikes (29 states): Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
That does not mean you can ride bareheaded everywhere in those states. BHSI lists local helmet ordinances in 16 of them: Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Some of those ordinances apply to riders of all ages. BHSI also notes that Michigan, Ohio and Virginia have helmet rules that apply only to e-bikes.
Local helmet ordinances
Cities and counties can pass their own helmet rules, and they do not always match the state law. A city ordinance may cover adults, a different age group, or only certain places such as parks. Because these change often and are not collected in any official national list, the safest move is to search your city or county code for “bicycle helmet” before you assume you are exempt.
E-bike helmet rules
E-bikes follow their own rules in most states. Under the model three-class e-bike law that PeopleForBikes drafted and many states adopted:
- Class 3 e-bikes (pedal assist up to 28 mph, or 45 km/h): every rider and passenger must wear a properly fitted, fastened bike helmet that meets the CPSC or ASTM standard, at any age. Riders must be at least 16.
- Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes (assistance up to 20 mph, or 32 km/h): the model law adds no helmet rule, so the state’s normal bike helmet law applies. Some states have written helmet rules specifically for e-bikes; BHSI names Michigan, Ohio and Virginia.
Check the exact wording for your state in our e-bike laws by state page.
What counts as a legal helmet
Every bike helmet manufactured for sale in the US since March 10, 1999, must meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard, 16 CFR Part 1203, which sets impact, strap-strength, stability and peripheral-vision tests. State helmet laws usually refer to that standard. In practice:
- Look for the CPSC sticker inside the shell. A helmet bought abroad that only carries a European EN 1078 label may not satisfy a state law that names the CPSC standard.
- Wear it fastened. Laws like Florida’s say the helmet must be properly fitted and securely strapped. A helmet hanging from the handlebar does not count.
- Get the size right. Measure around your head about an inch (2.5 cm) above the eyebrows and check our bike helmet size chart.
- Replace it after a crash. The foam liner absorbs one impact; damage is often invisible from outside.
Fines and enforcement
Helmet laws for kids are mostly enforced with warnings and small fines, and the parent or guardian is usually the one responsible. Florida is a good example of how lenient they can be: an officer may issue a warning and a safety brochure instead of a citation, and a first violation is dismissed when you show proof that you bought a helmet that meets the federal standard. Other states set their own amounts, so check your state’s code for the current penalty.
Beyond the law
Even where no law applies, a helmet is the only gear that protects your head in a fall, and most group rides and organized events require one. For the rest of the rules that apply on the road, see bike light laws, riding on the road and safe passing and the full list of US bike laws.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to ride a bike without a helmet?
For adults on a regular bike, not under any state law. 21 states and DC require helmets for minors (the age cutoff runs from under 12 to under 18), and some cities and counties have ordinances that also cover adults, so check your local code.
What age do you have to wear a bike helmet?
It depends on the state. The most common rule is under 16 (11 states plus DC). California, Delaware, Hawaii and New Mexico cover riders under 18, New York under 14, and Louisiana and Pennsylvania under 12.
Do I need a helmet on an e-bike?
Often, yes, if it is a Class 3 e-bike (pedal assist to 28 mph). The model e-bike law adopted by many states requires every Class 3 rider and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age. For Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, your state's regular helmet law usually applies, and a few states have e-bike-specific rules.
What helmet is legal in the US?
Any bike helmet sold in the US must meet the CPSC safety standard (16 CFR Part 1203), in force since March 1999. Look for the CPSC certification sticker inside the helmet.
What happens if my child rides without a helmet?
Penalties are small and vary by state; many laws aim at education rather than fines. In Florida, for example, an officer may issue a warning, and a first violation is dismissed if you show proof that you bought a compliant helmet.