Bicycle helmets (local law may require helmet use for some or all bicyclists) State Bicyclists covered by state law Alabama 15 and younger Alaska no law Arizona no law Arkansas no law California 17 and younger Colorado no law Connecticut 15 and younger Delaware 17 and younger District of Columbia 15 and younger Florida 15 and younger Georgia 15 and younger Hawaii 15 and younger Idaho no law Illinois no law Indiana no law Iowa no law Kansas no law Kentucky no law Louisiana 11 and younger Maine 15 and younger Maryland 15 and younger Massachusetts 1 through 16 (riding with children younger than 1 prohibited) Michigan no law Minnesota no law Mississippi no law Missouri no law Montana no law Nebraska no law Nevada no law New Hampshire 15 and younger New Jersey 16 and younger New Mexico 17 and younger New York 1 through 13 (riding with children younger than 1 prohibited) North Carolina 15 and younger North Dakota no law Ohio no law Oklahoma no law Oregon 15 and younger Pennsylvania 11 and younger Rhode Island 15 and younger South Carolina no law South Dakota no law Tennessee 15 and younger Texas no law Utah no law Vermont no law Virginia no law Washington no law West Virginia 14 and younger Wisconsin no law Wyoming no law
1Alaska\'s motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18, and operators with instructional permits. 2In Florida, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 years and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy. 3In Kentucky, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 years wear helmets, without exception. Those 21 years and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy. Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky also cover operators with instructional/learner\'s permits. 4Motorcycle helmet laws in Maine cover operators with instructional/learner\'s permits. Maine\'s motorcycle helmet use law also covers passengers 14 years and younger and passengers if their operators are required to wear a helmet. 5Motorcycle helmet laws in Minnesota cover operators with instructional/learner\'s permits. 6North Dakota\'s motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with operators who are covered by the law. 7Ohio\'s motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of licensure and all passengers of operators who are covered by the law. 8Pennsylvania\'s motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first two years of licensure unless the operator has completed the safety course approved by PennDOT or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. 9Rhode Island\'s motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers (regardless of age) and all operators during the first year of licensure (regardless of age). 10Texas exempts riders 21 years or older if they can either show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or can show proof of having a medical insurance policy. 11Motorcycle helmet laws in Wisconsin cover operators with instructional/learner\'s permits.