Vermont’s helmet law is refreshingly simple: there isn’t one. You can ride through the Green Mountain State at any age without a helmet and no cop is going to care. Vermont joins twelve other states that basically say “you’re an adult, figure it out yourself.”
This makes Vermont one of the “hands-off states” and they won’t be telling riders what to wear when biking. Whether you think that’s smart or terrifying depends on your perspective, but it’s definitely consistent with Vermont’s general approach to personal freedom and personally I like when what I do is based on what I believe is best. Which is to use a helmet of course.
Quick Reference
Age requirement: None
Adult requirement: None
E-bike rules: Same as regular bikes (nothing)
Enforcement: There’s nothing to enforce
Maximum fine: $0
Safety standards: Whatever you want
The Basic Rule
There is no rule. Vermont doesn’t require helmets for kids, teenagers, adults, or anyone else on a bike. This puts them in pretty exclusive company – most states at least require helmets for kids under 16 or 18.
You could ride a unicycle down Main Street in Burlington wearing nothing but a smile and technically not break any helmet laws. (Though you’d probably break a few other laws, so maybe don’t try that.)
What This Actually Means
Just because Vermont won’t ticket you for riding helmet-free doesn’t mean your skull suddenly becomes invincible. Head injuries are still very real, and helmets still work the same way they do in states with laws.
The difference is that Vermont trusts you to make your own risk assessment instead of making it for you. The physics of head injuries is still real.
E-Bikes Get the Same Treatment
Vermont’s e-bike rules follow the same pattern – no helmet requirements for any class of e-bike. Whether you’re on a pedal-assist commuter or a throttle-powered beast, the state won’t require head protection.
That said, e-bikes can hit 28 mph without much effort, and pavement at 28 mph is considerably less forgiving than pavement at 12 mph. Just saying.
Visiting Vermont
If you’re coming from a state with helmet laws, Vermont’s approach might feel weird at first. You keep waiting for someone to tell you to put a helmet on, but it never happens.
Vermont’s got some fantastic riding – quiet back roads, rail trails, and mountain bike trails that’ll challenge anyone. The lack of helmet laws doesn’t make these routes any less technical or the gravel any softer when you eat it. Why most riders still opt for helmets anyway.
Bottom Line
Vermont keeps it simple by not having helmet laws at all. No age requirements, no enforcement complications, no fines. Just you, your bike, and whatever level of protection you choose to wear.
This approach respects individual choice while also putting all the responsibility for safety decisions on individual riders. Whether that’s brilliant or bonkers depends on your perspective, but it’s definitely consistent with Vermont’s general philosophy of personal freedom.
Just remember: head injuries work the same way in Vermont as they do in any other state so if you’re doing something technically hard, give helmets a second thought.