Bike helmets save lives — plain and simple. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that helmets reduce the risk of head injuries by 60% and fatalities by nearly 40%.

So, bike helmet laws are actually there to protect cyclists, especially younger riders, from injuries that could have been with a helmet.

This means knowing the helmet rules in your state ensures you’re riding safely and legally. Also, we are pretty sure you don’t want to pay unnecessary fines. In some states, not wearing a helmet could cost you up to $100.

Bike Helmet Laws by State: The Breakdown

Bike helmet laws in the U.S. can be very confusing because there are no national e-bike helmet laws. 

While some states have defined age-specific helmet regulations at the state level, others have no state laws regarding helmet requirements for riders of e-bikes. 

As a result, whether or not you are required to wear a helmet to ride an e-bike depends on which state you are riding your e-bike in and even sometimes on which town or county you live in.

However, all the 50 states in the U.S. can be classified into three when it comes to e-bike helmet laws: states with age-specific helmet requirements, local helmet requirements, and states with no helmet requirements.

States with All Requirements

Connecticut, Alabama, and Massachusetts require helmets for all riders of e-bikes irrespective of the type of bike or the age of the rider.

States with Age-Specific Helmet Laws

The majority of states have age-specific helmet laws. Age-specific e-bike helmet laws are established based on the age of the rider and the category of their e-bike.

New Hampshire, for example, requires helmets for all riders of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes under 16 years and Class 3 e-bikes under 18 years of age. 

In some states, age-specific bike helmet laws only apply to riders of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes: riders of Class 3 e-bikes are all required to wear helmets, irrespective of their age. 
Tennessee, Georgia, and California have age-specific laws and require helmets for minors under the age of 16 or 17 riding class 1 or class 2 e-bikes. For class 3 e-bikes, e-bike helmets are compulsory for all riders of all ages in these states.

States With Helmet Requirements Based on  A Minumum Age

Some states have helmet laws based on a minimum age: all riders under a set age are required to wear helmets, irrespective of the type of e-bike. 
In the states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, all riders of e-bikes under the age of 12 and 15 (respectively) must wear bike helmets.

Florida, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, and Rhode Island bike helmets are required for all e-bike riders under the age of 16, irrespective of the type or category of e-bike.
In New Jersey, riders of electric bikes under 17 must wear helmets.

In Delaware, Indiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota, all riders of e-bikes under the age of 18 must wear helmets.

States with Local Helmet Laws

In some states, including Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Montana, and Missouri, there are no statewide e-bike helmet laws for cyclists. 

This does not mean you can ride your e-bike without a helmet. Even if a state doesn’t have a statewide law, cities and counties often have their own helmet requirements.

The state of Arizona, for example, has no statewide e-bike helmet laws, but Pima County and Tucson have local ordinances requiring e-bike riders under the age of 16 to wear helmets.

In the state of Illinois, local ordinances in Cicero and Skokie require e-bike riders under the age of 16 to wear a helmet.

Kansas does not have a determined statewide e-bike helmet laws, but local ordinances in Lawrence require riders of e-bikes under the age of 16 to wear helmets. 

States with no E-Bike Helmet Requirements

Some states, including Nebraska, South Carolina, and Nebraska, have no helmet requirements when it comes to e-bikes, which means wearing a helmet is not mandatory. 
Though these states specify that it is strongly recommended for e-bike riders to wear their helmets, there are no explicit laws requiring e-bike riders to wear helmets.

About Us

Want to explore your state, run errands or take trips on your e-bike? Try a Viribus bike. Viribus has a collection of regular bikes and electric bikes to suit the varying preferences of bikers all around the world. 

Our bikes are specially designed to enable you to commute within the city and indulge in a little bit of adventure in the high mountains.

E-bikes from Viribus are powered by impressive 350-500W motors, offering reliable performance. With formidable lithium-ion batteries, you can take long trips in your state without worrying about running out of power.
Here are some of the most popular E-bike from Viribus

1. Viribus Panther Electric Mountain Bike

The Panther Electric bike is for city dwellers who love the mountains and exploring scenic landscapes.

It is powered by a 350W brushless gear motor and equipped with a smooth 21-speed Shimano transmission for smooth riding even on rough terrain.

Here are some main features of this bike:

• A 350-gear motor
• Powered by a 48V 10.4Ah high-tech lithium battery.
  
• Top speeds of 20 Mph with throttle, 24 Mph with pedal
  
• PAS range estimate of 20 - 40 Miles
  
• Shimano 7 x 3-speed gear shift system
  
• Frame made of 6061 Aluminum 

The Panther is a great offer if you live in a city like San Francisco, Seattle, Pittsburgh, or Los Angeles, with several hills and beautiful scenery to explore.

2. The Viribus BZ1 Step-Thru Electric Bike

The Viribus BZ1 is a more commute-friendly e-bike, perfect for running errands within the city and accomplishing your day’s tasks with comfort and ease. 

Check out some main features:

Common Questions About Helmet Laws

1. Do Adults Need to Wear Helmets?

In most states, helmet laws don’t apply to adults unless local laws dictate otherwise. However, it is always recommended to wear a helmet. Helmets do save lives, regardless of age.

2. What are the Helmet Laws for  E-Bikes and Scooters?

E-bike helmet laws often follow the same rules as traditional bikes but may vary by class or speed. For instance 
In California, helmets are required for Class 3 e-bike riders and passengers of any age.

3. Are There Fines for Not Wearing a Helmet?

In most states in the U.S., failing to comply with helmet laws can result in fines. Fines typically range from $25 to $100. 
Some states waive fines if you are a first-time offender on the condition that you purchase a helmet after being ticketed.