is it legal to ride a bike without a helmet?

[LongCoolMother]

its been a while since i stopped riding. anyway, im going to go riding with some friends, and i forgot whether it was a law or not that minors (im 14) were required to wear helmets when riding bikes. i would wear one just in case, but i cant fnd it right now. so thats why im asking

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

Not in california (I live in the SF northbay) unless you're 18 i think.

 

[jaeger66]

A helmet? Why not add heels and a dress? Maybe times have changed, but when I was little anyone who showed up in a helmet would have been stuffed into a tire and rolled into traffic. I guess the law's the law, but man. Not even my mother, who was as fretful and overprotective as they come, went that far.

 

[deftron]

I got a ticket once for riding a bike on a navy base without a helmet..


Fascist military police

 

[Scouzer]

Under 18 they just enacted provincial law here where you gotta wear one. No one does though. Give the cop a fake name, he's got no ID of you, so you don't even have to pay the fine. They almost never give tickets though, just warnings.

 

[LongCoolMother]

alright, that makes sense. so its a law, but i shouldnt need to wear one. lol. i remember when i used to ride, i neevr wore helmets, even though i recall they were required. im in california, san jose btw.

 

[bmacd]

it's controlled by each city here in MI. For example, in Farmington Hills, if you are/under of age of 16, you are required to wear a bike helmet. As far as a I know, it's just a citation that they give...more or less a verbal warning. However, next city over and there are no laws for bicyclists.

-=bmacd=-

 

[KennyTheGreat]

hmm
many kids at school don't wear helmets while riding ther bikes


when the cops are at my school, they don't say anything


so im' not sure.



Ken

 

[RossMAN]

It depends on your age and what state you're riding in.

 

[Fausto]

It varies from place to place. Here in Atlanta, you are required by law to wear one if you're under 16. The law really has no penalty tho....it's really more of a tool for parents to be able to get there kids to wear one.

Regardless of the law, you're a dumbass if you don't wear one. I'm typing this right now because a helmet saved my melon once. Helmet was crushed and I walked away with a slight headache. Just my 0.02

 

[focusyn]

i think that here in NY everyone has to wear a helmet regardless of age. But i dont really know the last time i rode a bike with a helmet was.... umm.... never.