The history of motorcycle helmet laws in the United States is characterized by change. In 1967, to increase motorcycle helmet use, the federal government required the states to enact helmet use laws in order to qualify for certain federal safety programs and highway construction funds. The federal incentive worked. By the early 1970s, almost all the states had universal motorcycle helmet laws (“universal” in the sense that they covered all riders). Michigan was the first state to repeal its law in 1968, beginning a pattern of repeal, reenactment, and amendment of motorcycle helmet laws. In 1976, states successfully lobbied Congress to stop the Department of Transportation from assessing financial penalties on states without helmet laws. By 1980, most states had repealed or limited their motorcycle helmet laws to cover riders younger than 18, but not older riders. Later states that had repealed the law, reinstated it but only for young riders. All but 4 states now require some or all motorcyclists to wear helmets. (Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire don't have helmet laws.) Since 1997, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Texas have changed their laws covering all riders to apply only to young riders. And most recently, Louisiana moved from a partial to a universal motorcycle helmet law.

Bicycle helmets also prevent injuries, but no state has a universal bicycle helmet law. Only 19 states and the District of Columbia have statewide bicycle helmet laws, and they apply only to young riders (often riders younger than 16). Local ordinances in a few other states require bicycle helmets for some or all riders.

^NOTES:
1Alaska's motorcycle helmet use law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18, and operators with instructional permits.

²In Florida and Kentucky, the law requires that all riders younger than 21 yrs. wear helmets, without exception. In Florida, those 21 yrs. and older may ride without helmets only if they can show proof that they are covered by a medical insurance policy. Texas exempts riders 21 yrs. or older if they either 1) can show proof of successfully completing a motorcycle operator training and safety course or 2) can show proof of having a medical insurance policy.

³Motorcycle helmet laws in Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, and Wisconsin also cover operators with instructional/learner's permits. Maine's motorcycle helmet use law also covers passengers 14 years and younger and passengers if their operators are required to wear a helmet.

⁴North Dakota's motorcycle helmet use law covers all passengers traveling with operators who are covered by the law.

⁵Ohio's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of licensure and all passengers of operators who are covered by the law.

⁶Rhode Island's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first year of licensure and all passengers. Pennsylvania's motorcycle helmet use law covers all operators during the first two years of licensure unless the operator has completed the safety course approved by the department or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

 

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