Bicycle Helmet Laws Nationally
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute reports 22 states and at least 192 local helmet laws. Some states also cover other wheeled vehicles such as in-line skates, roller skates, skateboarders and scooters.
Pennsylvania Law Instituted
In 1991, Pennsylvania passed a law requiring helmets on all bicycle passengers under age 5. In 1995, it passed a law applying to all pedalcyclists under age 12. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation also strongly recommends that all bicyclists wear approved helmets whenever they ride, regardless of age. Although the law largely addresses road safety, it does not specifically exempt riding off-road from the helmet law.
What is a Pedalcycle?
Pennsylvania law does not use the word bicycle; it refers to pedalcycles, which can be defined as any wheeled, pedal-powered vehicle, including tricycles, bicycles, pedal cars and trailers or sidecars attached to these vehicles.
Rider or Passenger
The law says a person under 12 years old shall not operate or ride as a passenger on a pedalcycle unless the person is wearing an approved pedalcycle helmet. Passenger applies to a person in a restraining seat attached to a pedalcycle or in a towed trailer.
Approved Helmets
The law specifies the helmet must meet the standards of the American Standards Institute, the American Society for Testing and Materials, the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standards for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling or any other nationally recognized standard for pedalcycle helmet approval.
Penalties
The law says a fine should not to exceed $25, with a parent or guardian as well as the child responsible.
