Helmet rules · verified states
E-bike helmet laws by state
Helmet rules are the question riders ask first, and the answer usually turns on age and e-bike class. Below is the helmet rule and the minimum riding age for each verified state, each cell cited to that state's primary-source review.
01 / By state
E-bike helmet laws by state
| State | Helmet rule | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Alabama | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Arkansas | Every Class 3 operator or passenger under 21 must wear a helmet meeting or exceeding the bicycle-helmet standard in 16 C.F.R. part 1203.Arkansas General Assembly — Act 956 of 2017 | Unsettled — see state page |
| Arizona | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| California | Every bicycle rider or passenger under 18 must wear an approved, properly fitted and fastened helmet on streets, bikeways, and public bicycle paths or trails. Class 3 operators and passengers must wear one at every age.Cal. Veh. Code §§ 21200–21214.7 | Unsettled — see state page |
| Colorado | Every Class 3 operator and passenger under 18 must wear a properly secured bicycle helmet meeting the named CPSC or ASTM standard. CDOT strongly recommends helmets for every class; the cited statewide e-bike provision states no corresponding Class 1 or Class 2 mandate.Colorado General Assembly OLLS — 2024 C.R.S. Title 42· Colorado Department of Transportation — E-Bike Safety Campaign | Class 1 and Class 2 have no statewide operator age floor in the cited guidance. A Class 3 operator must be at least 16; a person under 16 may ride only as a passenger on a Class 3 bicycle designed for passengers.Colorado General Assembly OLLS — 2024 C.R.S. Title 42· Colorado Department of Transportation — E-Bike Safety Campaign |
| Connecticut | Every rider and passenger, at every age and on every class, must wear protective headgear meeting one of the standards named in § 14-289k(f).Connecticut General Assembly — Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 248 e-bike provisions· Connecticut Department of Transportation — E-Bikes: Riding Safely | Class 3 riders must be at least 16. A child under 16 may be a Class 3 passenger if the bicycle is equipped or designed for a passenger. CTDOT says no Connecticut law prohibits children from riding Class 1 or Class 2.Connecticut General Assembly — Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 248 e-bike provisions· Connecticut Department of Transportation — E-Bikes: Riding Safely |
| District of Columbia | Unsettled — see state page | Sixteen. DDOT's current e-bike guide says riders of e-bikes in the District must be at least 16 years old.District Department of Transportation — E-Bike Guide |
| Delaware | Every e-bike operator and passenger under 18 must wear an approved, properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet on property open to or used by the public. Every Class 3 operator and passenger must wear one at any age. The statute provides a religious-conviction affirmative defense.Delaware General Assembly — 21 Del. C. §§ 4192-4198Q | A Class 3 operator must be at least 16. A person under 16 may ride only as a passenger on a Class 3 bicycle designed for passengers. The cited e-bike section states no operator-age condition for Class 1 or Class 2.Delaware General Assembly — 21 Del. C. §§ 4192-4198Q |
| Florida | An e-bike rider or passenger under 16 must wear a properly fitted, fastened helmet meeting the federal bicycle-helmet standard. Fla. Stat. § 316.20655 gives e-bike operators the duties of bicycle operators, including § 316.2065.Fla. Stat. § 316.20655· Fla. Stat. § 316.2065 | Unsettled — see state page |
| Georgia | Georgia DNR says e-bike riders age 15 or younger must wear a helmet. Separately, the Governor's Office of Highway Safety reproduces O.C.G.A. § 40-6-296's rule that an under-16 bicycle operator or passenger must wear a properly fitted helmet on a highway, bicycle path, bicycle lane, or sidewalk.Georgia DNR state-parks biking guidance· Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety bicycle laws | Class 3 operator age: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-303(b) provides the only operative e-bike operator-age floor: a person under 15 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike, though an under-15 passenger may ride on one designed to carry passengers. HB 454 struck the phrase that would have applied § 40-6-351's under-15 highway provision to electric assisted bicycles, so there is no general under-15 e-bike highway bar.Georgia General Assembly — enacted HB 454 |
| Hawaii | A person under 18 may not operate a bicycle on a street, bikeway, or other public property without a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet meeting the statute's stated testing and protective criteria. Because Act 259 includes an electric bicycle in the bicycle definition, this rule reaches all three e-bike classes.Hawaii State Legislature — HB 2021 HD2 SD2 CD1 (Act 259)· Hawaii State Legislature — HRS § 291C-150 | Unsettled — see state page |
| Iowa | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Idaho | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Illinois | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Indiana | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Kansas | Unsettled — see state page | A Class 3 operator must be at least 16. A person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike designed to accommodate passengers.Kansas Legislature — K.S.A. 8-1592b |
| Kentucky | KRS 189.285's protective-headgear rule applies to specified motorcycle riders and passengers, and the same section expressly excludes a moped from its definition of “motorcycle.” The section contains no separate moped headgear requirement, so its motorcycle helmet mandate does not reach a qualifying moped. Wearing a helmet remains the safe choice.Kentucky General Assembly — KRS 189.285 current section PDF | Age 15 is the earliest statutory credential route: KRS 186.450 allows a person at least 15 to apply for a motor-vehicle instruction permit and expressly lets the holder operate a moped under that permit. KRS 186.410 requires a license before moped operation on a highway.Kentucky General Assembly — KRS 186.410 current section PDF· Kentucky General Assembly — KRS 186.450 current section PDF |
| Louisiana | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Massachusetts | Riders and passengers age 16 or younger must wear a properly secured helmet meeting federal Consumer Product Safety Commission standards on a public way, bicycle path, or other public right-of-way. An enclosed trailer or comparable protective device is exempt.Massachusetts General Laws c. 85, § 11B¾· Massachusetts General Laws c. 85, § 11B | Unsettled — see state page |
| Maryland | Every operator or passenger under 16 must wear a helmet meeting or exceeding one of the standards named in § 21-1207.1 whenever the bicycle is operated on a highway, bicycle way, or other property open to or used by the public, subject to the Ocean City Boardwalk exception.Maryland General Assembly — Md. Code, Transportation § 11-104· Maryland General Assembly — Md. Code, Transportation § 21-1207.1 | Unsettled — see state page |
| Maine | Every electric-bicycle operator or passenger under 16 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. The referenced helmet definition requires headgear intended for bicyclists that meets or exceeds Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.Maine Legislature — 29-A M.R.S. § 2063· Maine Legislature — 29-A M.R.S. § 2322 | The operator must be at least 16. Maine expressly prohibits a person under 16 from operating Class 2 or Class 3.Maine Legislature — 29-A M.R.S. § 2063 |
| Michigan | Anyone under 18 who operates or rides as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet meeting the federal standards named in MCL § 257.662a. That section imposes no class-specific helmet requirement on Class 1 or Class 2.Michigan Legislature — MCL § 257.662a | MCL § 257.662a bars an individual under 14 from operating a Class 3 e-bike, although a child under 14 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 designed for passengers. The section imposes no class-specific minimum operating age on Class 1 or Class 2.Michigan Legislature — MCL § 257.662a |
| Minnesota | Unsettled — see state page | An operator must be at least 15 years old. Minn. Stat. § 169.222 expressly prohibits anyone under 15 from operating an electric-assisted bicycle.Minnesota Revisor of Statutes — Minn. Stat. § 169.222· Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — E-bikes on state trails |
| Missouri | Unsettled — see state page | Class 3 operators must be at least 16. A person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike designed for passengers. The cited statewide e-bike section states no operator-age condition for Class 1 or Class 2.Missouri Revisor of Statutes — RSMo § 307.194 |
| Mississippi | Unsettled — see state page | Class 3 operators must be at least 16. A person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike designed for passengers. The cited statewide e-bike section states no operator-age condition for Class 1 or Class 2.Mississippi Legislature — HB 1195 (2021), as sent to Governor |
| Montana | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| North Carolina | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| North Dakota | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Nebraska | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| New Hampshire | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| New Jersey | Motorized-bicycle riders must wear an approved helmet at every age. Low-speed riders under 17 fall under the bicycle helmet rule.N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.3q· N.J.S.A. 39:4-10.1 | Under 15 may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle or motorized bicycle.P.L.2025, c.285 |
| New Mexico | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Nevada | No statewide helmet requirement applies to a qualifying e-bike operator or passenger at any age. NRS 486.231 requires headgear for motorcycles and mopeds, while NRS 486.038 and 486.041 expressly exclude electric bicycles defined by NRS 484B.017; Nevada DMV guidance separately says electric bicycles do not require helmet use.Nevada Legislature — NRS Chapter 486· Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles — Motorcycles and Three-Wheeled Vehicles· Nevada Legislature — NRS Chapter 484B | Unsettled — see state page |
| New York | Every class 3 operator must wear an approved helmet. The statewide bicycle rule also requires helmets for riders under 14, but e-bike operation is separately prohibited below age 16. Local governments may require helmets more broadly.N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1238· N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1242 | A person under 16 may not operate any class of bicycle with electric assist.N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1242 |
| Ohio | Every class 3 operator and passenger must wear a helmet meeting Consumer Product Safety Commission or ASTM standards.Ohio Revised Code § 4511.522 | Unsettled — see state page |
| Oklahoma | Unsettled — see state page | Class 3 operators must be at least 16. A person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike designed to accommodate passengers. The cited statewide e-bike section states no operator-age condition for Class 1 or Class 2.Oklahoma Legislature — Oklahoma Statutes, Title 47 |
| Oregon | ORS 814.485 requires approved protective headgear for a bicycle operator or rider under 16 on a highway or premises open to the public. Because every lawful e-bike operator is currently at least 16, that provision does not impose a helmet on a lawful operator; an e-bike passenger under 16 must wear one. A religious-belief-or-practice exemption applies.Oregon Legislative Assembly — ORS chapter 807· Oregon Legislative Assembly — ORS chapter 814 | At least 16 for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. ORS 807.020 currently allows each class to be operated without a grant of driving privileges only when the person is 16 or older.Oregon Legislative Assembly — ORS chapter 807 |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania’s pedalcycle helmet law covers riders and passengers under 12, including a child in a restraining seat or trailer (75 Pa.C.S. § 3510). A child under 16 may not operate an e-bike at all under § 3514.75 Pa.C.S. Ch. 35· Pennsylvania DCNR e-bike policy and FAQ | No one under 16 may operate a pedalcycle with electric assist (75 Pa.C.S. § 3514).75 Pa.C.S. Ch. 35 |
| Rhode Island | Every operator or passenger under 21 must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet meeting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standard or a subsequent standard when on a public highway, bicycle trail or path, shared-use path, park or recreational area, school property, or another public right-of-way.Rhode Island General Assembly — R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19.7-3 | Sixteen. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-2.2 says an electric motorized bicycle may not be operated in Rhode Island by a person under age 16; the text does not vary the floor by class.Rhode Island General Assembly — R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-2.2 |
| South Carolina | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| South Dakota | A Class III operator under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. Every Class III passenger must wear one regardless of age. The cited e-bike helmet section states no Class I or Class II requirement.South Dakota Legislature — SDCL § 32-20B-14 | A Class III operator must be at least 16. A younger person may ride as a passenger if the Class III bicycle is designed to carry a passenger. The cited age section states no minimum age for Class I or Class II.South Dakota Legislature — SDCL § 32-20B-13 |
| Tennessee | Every Class 3 operator and passenger, regardless of age, must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet meeting the named federal or ASTM standards, with a label showing compliance.Tennessee Department of Transportation — Tennessee Bicycle Laws | Unsettled — see state page |
| Texas | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| Utah | On a highway, an individual under 21 may not operate or ride an electric assisted bicycle without compliant protective headgear. The adopted bicycle-headgear standard is 16 C.F.R. Part 1203, and violating this section on an e-bike is an infraction with a maximum $25 fine.Utah Legislature — Utah Code § 41-6a-1505 | An operator must be at least 16 for Class 3. A child under 14 may not operate any electric assisted bicycle with the motor engaged on public property, a highway, path, or sidewalk without direct supervision by the child's parent or guardian; a child under eight may not operate there with the motor engaged at all.Utah Legislature — Utah Code § 41-6a-1115.5 |
| Virginia | Every Class 3 operator and passenger must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet meeting the named safety standards. A locality may also require a qualifying helmet for riders and passengers age 14 or younger on highways, sidewalks, or public bicycle paths.Virginia General Assembly — Va. Code § 46.2-904.1· Virginia General Assembly — Va. Code § 46.2-906.1 | Virginia's cited e-bike provisions set no flat minimum age. A person under 14 may operate a Class 3 e-bike only under the immediate supervision of a person who is at least 18; the cited section states no age condition for Class 1 or Class 2.Virginia General Assembly — Va. Code § 46.2-908.1 |
| Vermont | Unsettled — see state page | Vermont sets a minimum age only for the fastest e-bikes: an individual under 16 may not operate a Class 3 electric bicycle, though an under-16 rider may be a passenger on a Class 3 bike designed for passengers. Class 1 and Class 2 have no operator-age floor. Separately, an individual under 16 may not operate a motor-assisted bicycle on a highway.Vermont General Assembly — 23 V.S.A. § 1136a· Vermont General Assembly — 23 V.S.A. § 1136 |
| Washington | Washington has no statewide bicycle-helmet mandate. RCW 46.37.530 makes e-bike riders comply with bicycle-helmet laws and regulations, so a local bicycle-helmet rule also applies to e-bikes in that jurisdiction.RCW 46.37.530· WSDOT bicyclist laws and safety guidance | Unsettled — see state page |
| Wisconsin | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
| West Virginia | Every operator or passenger under 15 years old must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet pursuant to West Virginia's Child Bicycle Safety Act.West Virginia Legislature — enrolled Committee Substitute for HB 2062 | Unsettled — see state page |
| Wyoming | Unsettled — see state page | Unsettled — see state page |
Helmet answers vary by rider age and class—open a state for the full breakdown. Each state links to its full guide, with the statute beside every answer.
Why some cells say “unsettled”
An “unsettled” cell is a finding, not a gap
- A cell reads “Unsettled” when the primary sources do not answer this question cleanly for that state—so we mark it rather than assert a verdict we cannot cite.
- Every other cell cleared the same three-part receipt that colors a state on the map. See how verification works →
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