Bicyclists and Pedestrians

GHSA does not track state pedestrian safety laws but does track bicycle helmet laws in states where they have been enacted. Few states have enacted bicycle helmet laws. While GHSA only tracks state laws, many localities require helmet use for some or all bicyclists.

  • 21 states, the District of Columbia and the Northern Mariana Islands have a helmet law for bicyclists below a certain age, generally about 16.
    • Only the Virgin Islands and Guam require helmets for all bicyclists.
  • The remaining (unlisted) 29 states and Puerto Rico have no bicycle helmet law.

Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.

Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2023.

Short Term Description
GHSA does not track state pedestrian safety laws but does track bicycle helmet laws in states where they have been enacted.
New Mexico
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.

West Virginia
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 15.

Virgin Islands
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders.

Tennessee
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Rhode Island
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Pennsylvania
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 12.

Oregon
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Northern Mariana Islands
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.

North Carolina
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

New York
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders 1 year or older and under 14. Children under 1 prohibited.

New Jersey
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 17.

New Hampshire
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Massachusetts
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 17.

Maryland
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Maine
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16. $25 fine for a second or subsequent violation.

Louisiana
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 12.

Hawaii
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Guam
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders.

Georgia
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Florida
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

District of Columbia
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Delaware
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.

Connecticut
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

California
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 18.

Alabama
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

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