Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in California?

Under 18 (class 3: all ages). Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a bicycle helmet on any bike, including an e-bike. Every Class 3 rider and passenger must wear a helmet, whatever their age.

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in New Jersey?

All ages (Motorized bicycle) (low-speed electric bicycle: under 17). Motorized bicycle riders of every age must wear an approved helmet. Bicycle rules apply to low-speed e-bikes, so riders under 17 must wear a helmet.

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in Florida?

Under 16. Riders and passengers under 16 must wear a bicycle helmet; no state helmet rule for 16+.

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in Pennsylvania?

Under 12. Helmets are required only for riders under 12 (bicycle law), which in practice does not apply since the minimum age is 16.

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in Illinois?

No state helmet law. Illinois has no statewide helmet law for e-bike riders of any age or class (none found in 11-1517 or elsewhere in the Vehicle Code).

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in New York?

Class 3: all ages (no state rule for class 1 or 2). All Class 3 riders must wear a helmet; for Class 1 and 2 no state helmet rule applies to adults (localities may require helmets).

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in Connecticut?

All ages. Every e-bike rider and passenger, of any age, must wear a bicycle helmet; since Oct 1, 2025 this is an infraction.

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in Minnesota?

No state helmet law. Minnesota has no helmet requirement for e-bike riders of any age or class; a 2026 proposal for under-18 riders (SF 3236) did not pass.

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in Ohio?

Class 3: all ages (no state rule for class 1 or 2). Everyone riding a Class 3 e-bike, operator or passenger of any age, must wear a CPSC- or ASTM-standard helmet. Ohio has no helmet rule for Class 1 or 2.

Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in Arizona?

No state helmet law. No statewide helmet law applies to e-bikes. Some cities require helmets for minors.

E-bike helmet laws by state

32 states require helmets for at least some e-bike riders, most often under 16 or 18, or everyone on a Class 3. 19 have no statewide e-bike helmet law. Every answer below is read from the statute, linked on each row, and the rules for e-trikes, mopeds and other categories are shown where a state has them.

✓ All 50 states and DC verified Sep 2026Not legal advice. Cities and park agencies can add rules.

State by state

E-bike helmet laws by state, by state

Navy: a helmet is required for the riders shown. Grey: no statewide helmet law for e-bikes.

State	Short answer	The rule
Alabama	Under 16Class 3: all ages	Class 3 Everyone riding a Class 3 e-bike, operator or passenger of any age, must wear a CPSC- or ASTM-standard bicycle helmet. Code of Ala. § 32-5A-267(j) ↗ Riders and passengers under 16 on any bicycle must wear a helmet; this likely extends to e-bikes, which carry the same duties as bicycles. Code of Ala. § 32-5A-283(1); § 32-5A-267(a) ↗
Alaska	No state helmet law	No statewide bicycle or e-bike helmet law was found in AS 28 or 13 AAC 02. 13 AAC 02.385-.420 (no helmet provision) ↗
Arizona	No state helmet law	No statewide helmet law applies to e-bikes. Some cities require helmets for minors. A.R.S. §§ 28-101, 28-819 (no helmet provision) ↗
Arkansas	Class 3: under 21No state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 Riders and passengers under 21 on a Class 3 e-bike must wear a bicycle helmet; no helmet rule for Class 1 or 2 was found. Ark. Code Ann. § 27-51-1706(b) ↗
California	Under 18Class 3: all ages	Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a bicycle helmet on any bike, including an e-bike. Cal. Veh. Code § 21212(a) ↗ Class 3 Every Class 3 rider and passenger must wear a helmet, whatever their age. Cal. Veh. Code § 21213(b) ↗
Colorado	Class 3: under 18No state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 Riders and passengers under 18 on a Class 3 must wear a properly fastened bicycle helmet; no state helmet requirement for Class 1/2 or adults. C.R.S. § 42-4-1412(15)(b) ↗
Connecticut	All ages	Every e-bike rider and passenger, of any age, must wear a bicycle helmet; since Oct 1, 2025 this is an infraction. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-289k(f); infraction added by PA 25-159 ↗
Delaware	Under 18Class 3: all ages	Class 3 Every rider and passenger of a Class 3 e-bike must wear a bicycle helmet, at any age. 21 Del. C. § 4198P(i) ↗ Anyone under 18 must wear a bicycle helmet on any bicycle (e-bikes get the same duties as bicycles); adults on Class 1 or 2 are not required to. 21 Del. C. § 4198K(a); § 4198P(a) ↗
District of Columbia	Under 16	Riders and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet on a bicycle; the statute is written for human-powered bicycles, so whether it reaches motorized bicycles depends on DCMR rules (see unconfirmed). Adults are not required to wear one. D.C. Code § 50-1605(a); § 50-1609(1) ↗
Florida	Under 16	Riders and passengers under 16 must wear a bicycle helmet; no state helmet rule for 16+. Fla. Stat. § 316.2065(3)(d) ↗
Georgia	15 and youngerClass 3: all ages	Class III Every Class III rider and passenger must wear a bicycle helmet, at any age. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-303(c)(1) ↗ Riders 15 and younger must wear a helmet on any bike, including Class I/II e-bikes. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-296 (per Georgia State Parks, DNR) ↗
Hawaii	Under 18	Riders under 18 must wear a fastened bicycle helmet on any bicycle, including an e-bike (raised from under 16 by Act 259); adults 18+ are not required to by state law. HRS § 291C-150(a) as amended by Act 259 (2026) §14 ↗
Idaho	No state helmet law	Idaho has no state helmet law for bicycle or e-bike riders of any age (none found in Title 49, chapter 7). Idaho Code Title 49, ch. 7 (no helmet provision) ↗
Illinois	No state helmet law	Illinois has no statewide helmet law for e-bike riders of any age or class (none found in 11-1517 or elsewhere in the Vehicle Code). 625 ILCS 5/11-1517 (no helmet provision) ↗
Indiana	Class 3: under 18No state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 Riders and passengers under 18 on a Class 3 must wear a bicycle helmet; there is no state helmet rule for Class 1/2 or for adults. Ind. Code § 9-21-11-13.1(k)(5) ↗
Iowa	No state helmet law	Iowa has no helmet law for bicycle or e-bike riders of any age (none found in chapter 321). Iowa Code ch. 321 (no bicycle helmet provision) ↗
Kansas	No state helmet law	Kansas has no helmet law for e-bike riders of any age; a 2026 bill to require helmets for riders 17 and under (HB 2459) died. K.S.A. 8-1598 (covers motorcycles and motorized bicycles only) ↗
Kentucky	No state helmet law	Kentucky has no helmet law for bicycles, e-bikes or mopeds; the helmet rule applies only to motorcycle riders under 21, permit holders and new license holders. KRS 189.285(3) ↗
Louisiana	Under 12Class 3: all ages	Class 3 Every operator and passenger on a Class 3 e-bike, of any age, must wear an approved bicycle helmet ($50 fine, waived if you show you bought a helmet). No helmet rule for adults on Class 1 or 2. La. R.S. 32:204(H) ↗ Parents may not let a child under 12 ride or be a passenger on a bicycle without a helmet; note this section defines 'bicycle' as two tandem wheels, so it may not reach trikes. La. R.S. 32:199(A)(2), (B)(1) ↗
Maine	Under 16	Anyone under 16 riding or carried as a passenger on any e-bike must wear a properly fitted, fastened bicycle helmet; no helmet requirement for adults. 29-A M.R.S. § 2063(14)(H)(3); § 2323(1) ↗
Maryland	Under 16	Riders and passengers under 16 must wear a bicycle helmet (applies to e-bikes because an e-bike is a 'bicycle'); enforced by warning only. No helmet requirement for adults. Md. Code, Transp. §§ 21-1207.1, 11-104 ↗
Massachusetts	16 and younger	Riders and passengers 16 and younger must wear a helmet (bicycle rule applied to e-bikes); there's no adult requirement. M.G.L. c. 85, § 11B(2)(iii), via § 11B3/4(b) ↗
Michigan	Class 3: under 18No state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 Riders and passengers under 18 on a Class 3 e-bike must wear a bicycle helmet; there's no helmet rule for Class 1 or 2 or for adults. MCL 257.662a(4)(b) ↗
Minnesota	No state helmet law	Minnesota has no helmet requirement for e-bike riders of any age or class; a 2026 proposal for under-18 riders (SF 3236) did not pass. Minn. Stat. § 169.222 (no helmet provision) ↗
Mississippi	No state helmet law	The e-bike law has no helmet requirement, and no statewide bicycle helmet law was found. Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1315 (no helmet provision) ↗
Missouri	No state helmet law	Missouri has no statewide helmet law for e-bike riders of any age or class (none in 307.194 or 307.180-307.193). RSMo 307.194 (no helmet provision) ↗
Montana	Under 18 (moped)	moped Riders and passengers under 18 on a moped (which is how Montana classifies most e-trikes) must wear a helmet on streets and highways; there is no helmet law for adults or for two-wheel electrically assisted bicycles. MCA 61-9-417 ↗
Nebraska	No state helmet law	Nebraska's helmet law covers motorcycles and mopeds only; there is no state helmet requirement for e-bike riders of any age. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,279 ↗
Nevada	No state helmet law	Nevada has no helmet law for bicycle or e-bike riders (helmets are required only on motorcycles and mopeds). NRS 486.231 (motorcycles and mopeds only) ↗
New Hampshire	Under 16Class 3: under 18	Riders under 16 must wear a helmet on any bicycle (including e-bikes) on a public way. RSA 265:144, X ↗ Class 3 Anyone under 18 riding or sitting as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike must wear a fitted, fastened CPSC- or ASTM-standard bicycle helmet. RSA 265:144-a, X ↗
New Jersey	All ages (Motorized bicycle)Low-speed electric bicycle: under 17	Motorized bicycle Motorized bicycle riders of every age must wear an approved helmet. N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.3q; NJMVC E-bike and Moped Manual 2026, p.5 ↗ Low-speed electric bicycle Bicycle rules apply to low-speed e-bikes, so riders under 17 must wear a helmet. N.J.S.A. 39:4-10.1; N.J.S.A. 39:4-14.16(g) ↗
New Mexico	Under 18	Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet; the Child Helmet Safety Act's 'bicycle' expressly includes e-bikes and tricycles. Parents face a small civil penalty. No helmet rule for adults. NMSA 1978, §§ 32A-24-2(A), 32A-24-3 ↗
New York	Class 3: all agesNo state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 All Class 3 riders must wear a helmet; for Class 1 and 2 no state helmet rule applies to adults (localities may require helmets). N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1238(5-c); § 1242 (local headgear authority) ↗
North Carolina	Under 16Class 3: under 18	Class 3 From Dec 1, 2026, anyone under 18 operating or riding as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike must wear a helmet meeting federal standards. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-171.3(b) (S.L. 2026-46 § 19(b), eff. 2026-12-01) ↗ NC's Child Bicycle Safety Act requires helmets for bicycle riders and passengers under 16, but it covers 'human-powered' bicycles and excludes tricycles, so it likely does not reach e-trikes; no adult helmet rule. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-171.8(1), 20-171.9 ↗
North Dakota	Class 3: under 18No state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 Riders under 18 must wear a helmet on a Class 3 e-bike; no helmet rule for Class 1 or 2 or for adults. N.D.C.C. § 39-10.1-09(7) ↗
Ohio	Class 3: all agesNo state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 Everyone riding a Class 3 e-bike, operator or passenger of any age, must wear a CPSC- or ASTM-standard helmet. Ohio has no helmet rule for Class 1 or 2. Ohio Rev. Code 4511.522(D)(2) ↗
Oklahoma	No state helmet law	Oklahoma has no helmet requirement for e-bike riders of any age or class. 47 O.S. § 11-1209 (no helmet provision) ↗
Oregon	Under 16	Adults need no helmet. Helmets are required for anyone under 16 on a bicycle, including child passengers. Because riders must currently be 16+, in practice this covers child passengers now and 14–15-year-old Class 1 riders from 2027. ORS 814.485, 814.486 (consolidated into 814.486 by HB 4007, operative 2027-01-01) ↗
Pennsylvania	Under 12	Helmets are required only for riders under 12 (bicycle law), which in practice does not apply since the minimum age is 16. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3510; PennDOT Pub 944 ↗
Rhode Island	Under 21	E-bike riders and passengers under 21 must wear a CPSC-standard helmet; there is no helmet requirement for adults 21 and over. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19.7-3 ↗
South Carolina	No state helmet law	South Carolina has no helmet requirement for e-assist bike riders of any age; the under-21 helmet law applies to two-wheeled motorized vehicles such as mopeds and motorcycles. S.C. Code § 56-5-3660 (applies to two-wheeled motorized vehicles) ↗
South Dakota	Class 3: under 18No state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 Riders under 18 on a Class III e-bike, and all passengers on a Class III e-bike, must wear a bicycle helmet; there is no state helmet rule for Class I or II. SDCL 32-20B-14 ↗
Tennessee	Class 3: all agesNo state rule for Class 1 or 2	Class 3 Everyone on a Class 3 e-bike, rider and passengers of any age, must wear a bicycle helmet meeting CPSC or ASTM standards. Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-307(b) ↗
Texas	No state helmet law	Texas has no statewide helmet law for e-bike riders; some cities have their own. Tex. Transp. Code ch. 551 (no helmet provision) ↗
Utah	Under 21	Since May 6, 2026, riders under 21 must wear a bicycle helmet on any e-bike on a highway, except on a rented Class 1 e-bike; adults 21+ have no helmet requirement (and get an $8 fine waiver on moving violations if helmeted). Utah Code § 41-6a-1505(1), (3), (5) ↗
Vermont	No state helmet law	Vermont has no statewide helmet law for bicycle or e-bike riders of any age (none in 23 V.S.A. § 1136a or the bicycle subchapter). 23 V.S.A. § 1136a (no helmet provision) ↗
Virginia	Class 3: all agesNo state helmet law for other classes	Class 3 Every Class 3 operator and passenger must wear a fitted, fastened bicycle helmet. Va. Code § 46.2-904.1 ↗ No statewide helmet rule for Class 1/2; a city or county can require helmets for riders 14 and younger ($25 fine, suspended for first offense). Va. Code § 46.2-906.1 ↗
Washington	No state helmet law	There is no statewide helmet law for e-bikes. Riders must follow whatever bicycle-helmet rules apply locally. RCW 46.37.530 ↗
West Virginia	Under 15	Riders and passengers under 15 must wear a bicycle helmet; no helmet law for adults. W. Va. Code §§ 17C-11-8(i)(2), 17C-11A-4 ↗
Wisconsin	No state helmet law	Wisconsin has no helmet law for bicycle or e-bike riders of any age (the helmet law covers motorcycles only). Wis. Stat. § 347.485 (motorcycles only) ↗
Wyoming	No state helmet law	Wyoming has no statewide helmet law for e-bike riders (none found in Title 31 art. 7). Wyo. Stat. §§ 31-5-701 to 31-5-707 (no helmet provision) ↗

Other rules, state by state

Do you need a license to ride an e-bike?Do you have to register an e-bike?Do you need insurance for an e-bike?How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike?What the e-bike classes mean Every state's full page

This page explains the law in plain language. It is not legal advice. Check posted signs and confirm with your state before you ride.