Purpose
The goal of the helmet law is to attempt to reduce serious head and brain injuries that occur from collisions and falls from a bicycle. The North Carolina legislature found that even though statistics prove helmets help prevent serious injury, as few as 5 percent of children nationwide wear one.
Law
The law states that anyone under 16 must wear an "approved bicycle helmet" when riding his or her bike on a public road, bicycle path or a public right-of-way.
Standards
According to the Safe Guilford website, North Carolina law defines an approved bike helmet as one that will meet the impact standards that the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation sets for such headgear.
Consequences
Parents who fail to have a child wear a helmet while operating their bicycle in public face a $10 civil fine. Parents can avoid having to pay the fine as long as he or she provides proof that the child has a viable helmet.
Time Frame
Former North Carolina Gov. Michael Easley signed the helmet law July 5, 2001. The law went by the name of the "Child Bicycle Safety Act" and went into effect Oct. 1, 2001.
Article Written By John Lindell
John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.
