Helmet laws are all over the map. Literally. I’ve gotten to learn as much after 45 cups of coffee and a week of excessive research on the topic. But now I can finally present every single state’s regulation when it comes to bicycles and helmets.
The problem? Every state does its own thing. Some require helmets for kids, others don’t care at all, and a few states let the local county or cities set their own rules, making for an even bigger headache.
I got tired of digging through legal websites every time I wanted to ride somewhere new, so I put together this state-by-state breakdown. No legalese, no confusion. Just the facts you need to ride within the legal lines of the law.
How to Use This Guide
Click on your state below to get the full guide on that states helmet laws. Remember some states have no helmet laws, but cities, counties or towns can have their own regulations. So check the state page.
Each state page covers:
- Adult requirements (spoiler: no state requires adult helmets)
- Kid rules and age cutoffs
- E-bike helmet rules (because those electric things are everywhere now)
- Local laws that might override state rules
- Enforcement reality (what actually happens)
- Where to locally buy a helmet that meet state legal requirements
Choose Your State
A-F
Alabama – Kids 16 & under
Alaska – No state law
Arizona – No state law
Arkansas – Kids 16 & under
California – Kids 17 & under
Colorado – No state law
Connecticut – Kids 15 & under
Delaware – Kids 17 & under
Florida – Kids 15 & under
G-M
Georgia – Kids 15 & under
Hawaii – Kids 15 & under
Idaho – No state law
Illinois – No state law
Indiana – No state law
Iowa – No state law
Kansas – No state law
Kentucky – No state law
Louisiana – Kids 11 & under
Maine – Kids 15 & under
Maryland – Kids 15 & under
Massachusetts – Kids 16 & under
Michigan – No state law
Minnesota – No state law
Mississippi – No state law
Missouri – No state law
Montana – No state law
N-S
Nebraska – No state law
Nevada – No state law
New Hampshire – Kids 15 & under
New Jersey – Kids 16 & under
New Mexico – Kids 17 & under
New York – Kids 13 & under
North Carolina – Kids 15 & under
North Dakota – No state law
Ohio – No state law
Oklahoma – No state law
Oregon – Kids 15 & under
Pennsylvania – Kids 11 & under
Rhode Island – Kids 15 & under
South Carolina – No state law
South Dakota – No state law
T-W
Tennessee – Kids 15 & under
Texas – No state law
Utah – No state law
Vermont – No state law
Virginia – Kids 14 & under
Washington – Kids 16 & under
West Virginia – Kids 14 & under
Wisconsin – No state law
Wyoming – No state law
Quick Reference
- States with NO helmet laws: 13 states don’t require helmets for anyone.
- Most common age cutoff: 15 or 16 years old
- Strictest laws: California (under 18), Delaware (under 18), New Mexico (under 18)
- Most relaxed(Where its regulated): Pennsylvania and Louisiana (only kids 11 and under)
What About E-Bikes?
E-bike helmet laws are changing fast. Some states that don’t require regular bike helmets DO require e-bike helmets for certain ages. And some states require all riders to wear a helmet depending on the classification of your E-bike. I’ve noted these differences on each state page, but this is a moving target.
City Laws Can Override State Laws
Here’s the tricky part: cities can have stricter helmet laws than their state. Places like Tacoma, Washington used to require helmets for everyone (they repealed it), while other cities still do. Each state page covers the major cities with different rules.
My Take on Helmet Laws
Look, I wear a helmet 99% of the time, not because the law says I have to, but because I like my brain and I’ve become quite fond of it over the years. But I’m not going to lecture you about it. These pages are about legal requirements, not safety advice.
That said, if you’re riding with kids, just assume they need helmets unless you know for sure they don’t. The penalties are usually minor, but you can pretty much bet your last dollar that kids are gonna be kids and crash out.
Questions? Missing Something?
Helmet laws are ever changing, and I do my best to keep these pages updated. If you spot something wrong or have a question about local laws, hit me up. I’m always learning new stuff about this patchwork of rules we call American bicycle law.
Last updated: July 2025