Electric bikes are an excellent way of getting around town. With the continuous rise of the popularity of electric bicycles that more people are using, safety is becoming more of a concern. With more and more people on electric bikes, a serious question has to be asked. Do you have to wear a helmet while riding an electric bicycle? 

The laws around electric bicycles and helmets vary from state to state. However, in terms of general safety, yes, you should be wearing a helmet. There are laws across the United States that require people to wear helmets while riding traditional bicycles under a certain age. That being said, electric bikes should be no different, being essentially the same mode of travel, just much faster.

As you continue to read this article, it will go more in-depth about why you should be wearing a helmet on an electric bicycle and discussing the laws regarding the use of helmets in the United States.

Should You Wear A Helmet On An Electric Bicycle?

Well, when it comes to your overall safety, of course, you should wear a helmet while operating an electric bicycle. Helmets were made to protect you from getting any brain, head, or face injuries. There are even massive amounts of cases where a helmet has saved the lives of people riding on any sort of bicycle, electric bicycles included. 

That being said, just wearing the same helmet you would wear while you are riding a traditional pedal bicycle can protect you from severe injury or even death. Helmets are often also light reflective. Meaning while you are riding alongside the road, your helmet will reflect the light of drivers passing you by at night.

Not only should you have the appropriate lights on your bicycles while riding at night, but a reflective helmet helps out even more. 

Another excellent reason for you to wear a helmet while on an electric bicycle is because of laws that have started to be put into action worldwide. If you are riding an electric bike, it is wise to know the rules about helmets and other protective gear in your state. 

What Helmet Should You Wear When Riding An Electric Bike?

As previously stated, just wearing the standard helmet that you would wear while riding a traditional bicycle will help protect you against injury. These helmets are not up to par when traveling at high speeds.

On the contrary, there are plenty of helmets on the market that are much better suited for this task.

These helmets tend to be a bit beefier, meaning they can absorb a higher impact than traditional helmets. They also tend to cover more of the head and give you a much more comprehensive range of protection around your entire head. 

Perfect examples of helmets you should look for when you are riding your electric bicycle are as followed;

HelmetCostDurabilityLight Technology
(Easy-to-see at Night)
Giro Camden$189.95Hybrid construction w/ a durable hard shell upper with in-molding construction lower shell plus side walls.Yes (rear light)Lumos Matrix$249.95Impact resistant EPS foam liner & ABS shell.Yes (rear light)Pedelec 2.0$136.79 – $169.99Double shell for a durable connection w/ outer shell & shock-absorbing helmet material (EPS).Yes (LED light)Demon Podium$89.99 – $298.29EPS foam liner conforms to your shape for superior fit. Helmet weighs over 2lbs.NoBELL Super 3R$224.99MIPS-equipped & wraparound protection.No

1. The Giro Camden Helmet

The Giro Camden helmet provides a significant amount of protection by covering the entire back of your head. The helmet is equipped with a massive red light on the back of your helmet for added visibility for drivers when riding at night or in foggy and rainy weather.

2. The Lumos Matrix Helmet

The Lumos Matrix is another excellent example of a better suited helmet that looks very similar to a traditional helmet for pedal bicycles—being very similar to the giro Camden helmet above.

It covers the entire back of your head for better protection while also being equipped with a vast light for added visibility. However, the light on the back of this helmet is customizable.

3. The Pedelec 2.0 Helmet

Stepping up a notch is the Pedelec 2.0 helmet. This helmet is slightly bigger and heavier than the two previous and covers more of your head. This helmet also comes with a visor that you can attach to the helmet’s visor for even more protection. All of that and the helmet still comes with a red led light for the added visibility of drivers.

4. Demon Podium & BELL Super 3R

If you are looking for the most amount of protection when it comes to your helmet, you will want to look at full head helmets like the Demon Podium and the BELL Super 3R.

These helmets look more like the helmets you wear on a motorcycle or a dirt bike, except they are not as equipped and durable. They offer protection for your entire head and have extended protrusions on the front of the helmet to stop you from smacking your face onto the ground or any other surface. 

As mentioned above, all of the helmets are much more suited to protecting your head while riding an electric bicycle. There are also perfect examples of what you should be looking for if these helmets are not exactly what you want.

What Are The Laws About Helmets And Electric Bicycles?

If you live in the United States, electric bicycles have been categorized into three separate categories.

• Class 1 Electric Bicycles: Are pedal-assisted bicycles that can reach up to 20 miles per hour but can not go faster.

• Cass 2 Electric Bicycles: Are throttle-controlled bicycles that can reach a speed of 20 miles per hour but can not go faster.

• Class 3 Electric Bicycles: Are pedal-assisted bicycles that can reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour.

Below, a simple table will tell you if you must wear a helmet in your state. 

States that do no have a helmet law regardless of electric bicycle class and age of the riderIdaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska,
North Dakota, South Dakota,
South Carolina, Utah,
Vermont, WyomingStates that have varying laws depending on the county you live inAlaska, Arizona, Illinois, Kansas,
Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri,
Montana, New York, Nevada,
Oklahoma, Texas, Washington,
West Virginia, WisconsinStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of age and class of electric bicycleAlabama, MassachusettsStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of class of electric bicycle being under the age of 18Delaware, New MexicoStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of class of electric bicycle being under the age of 17New JerseyStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of class of electric bicycle being under the age of 16Florida, Hawaii,
Maine, Maryland,
North Carolina,
Oregon, Rhode IslandStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of class of electric bicycle being under the age of 12PennsylvaniaStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of age for class 3 electric bicycles LouisianaStates that require you to wear a helmet while operating a class 3 electric bicycle and also under the age of 21Alabama, ColoradoStates that require you to wear a helmet while operating a class 3 electric bicycle and also under the age of 18IndianaStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of age while operating a class 3 electric bicycle that also have laws for class 1 and 2 bicycles that differ by countyOhio, VirginaStates that require you to wear a helmet under the age of 16 while operating a class 3 electric bicycle that also have laws for class 1 and 2 bicycles that differ by countyMichiganStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of age while operating a class 3 electric bicycle and also require you to wear a helmet for class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles under the age of 18CaliforniaStates that require you to wear a helmet regardless of age while operating a class 3 electric bicycle and also require you to wear a helmet for class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles under the age of 16Connecticut, Georgia,
TennesseeStates that require you to wear a helmet under the age of 18 while operating a class 3 electric bicycle and also require you to wear a helmet for class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles under the age of 16New Hampshire

This table is likely to change in the future. Be sure to know the laws of your state regarding the use of helmets while operating an electric bicycle.

Final Thoughts

The use of a helmet while riding an electric bicycle can be life-saving, but depending on what state you live in the United States, you can be fined for neglecting to wear a helmet.