California has legal rules in place requiring helmets in certain situations for both bicyclists and those operating or riding on motorcycles. Whether you need to wear a helmet depends on your age, what kind of vehicle you’re using, and whether the helmet meets legal safety standards.
Helmet Laws for Bicyclists
If you are under 18 years old California requires you to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, inline skates or roller skates on public roads, bike paths, sidewalks, or trails.
For people 18 or older the law does not generally require a helmet when riding a non motorized bicycle.
Helmet Laws for Motorcycles and Motorized Bikes
All riders and passengers on motorcycles, motor driven cycles, and motorized bicycles must wear a safety helmet by law.
The helmet must meet a specific safety standard, it must be certified by the manufacturer as complying with U.S. Department of Transportation FMVSS 218.
The law requires the helmet to be worn correctly, it must fit properly and the chin strap must be fastened so that the helmet does not shift too much.
Legal and Practical Consequences
Failing to wear a required helmet for bikes under 18 or always for motorcycle riders can result in a citation or fine.
Helmet compliance can affect injury claims. If you are injured and the helmet law applies, failure to wear a helmet may be used by insurance companies or in court to argue that you shared fault. California law allows for comparative fault.
On the motorcycle side, not wearing a DOT compliant helmet could reduce what you can recover or lead to penalties.
Hillstone Law can help riders understand helmet regulations and protect their rights if they are involved in an accident.
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