NC Bicycle Helmet Law
Summary of law

updated 07-17-06

Governor Michael Easley signed the "Child Bicycle Safety Act" into law on July 5, 2001. The purpose of this law is to reduce the number of head-related injuries and deaths from bicycle crashes. Studies show that helmets prevent 60 percent of head injury deaths and reduce the overall risk of head injuries by 85 percent.

The NC Bicycle Helmet Law requires:

• Every person under 16 years old must wear an approved bicycle helmet when operating a bicycle on any public road, public bicycle path, or other public right-of-way.
• All child passengers falling at or below 40 pounds/40 inches, must be carried in a separate restraining seat.
• Any parent or legal guardian who knowingly allows a child to ride without a helmet or to ride as a passenger not secured in a restraining seat (when applicable), will be in violation of the law.
• Violation of the law carries a $10 civil fine. The fine may be waived upon the receipt of satisfactory proof of purchase of helmet or restraining seat.
• This law went into effect October 1, 2001.

Additional informaton about the NC bicycle helmet law, as well as other bicycle and pedestrian safety information, can be found at the NC DOT Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation web site.

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