Do You Have to Wear a Helmet When Riding an Electric Bike?

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Do You Have to Wear a Helmet When Riding an Electric Bike

Electric bikes are a wonderful option if you are looking for a cost-effective way to make your way around town. As more and more people invest in these bikes and aim to reduce their carbon footprint, safety is becoming more critical.

Do You Have to Wear a Helmet When Riding an Electric Bike in the US?

Depending on the state you live in, the law around electric bikes can be different. However, you should generally wear a helmet when riding an electric bike.

Laws in the United States require individuals to wear helmets if they have reached a certain age and want to ride a traditional bicycle. Electric bikes are not much different, especially since they provide a similar mode of travel but are faster in speed.

Is It Necessary to Wear a Helmet on an Electric Bike?

If you want to ensure that you are safe at all times, we would recommend wearing a helmet when riding an electric bike.

Helmets aim to protect individuals from obtaining face, head, or brain injuries in case of an accident. In fact, there are numerous events where a helmet has saved someone riding an electric bike from getting into a bad accident.

There is no denying that wearing a helmet can protect you from serious injury or even death in severe cases. It doesn’t matter whether you are riding an electric bike or a traditional bike- a helmet is compulsory.

Helmets are usually reflective, which means that even if you are riding at night alongside a road, the drivers around you will be careful when passing you since they will see the light reflect off your helmet.

If you plan on riding your electric bike at night, you must install bright lights and wear a reflective helmet.

Keep in mind that laws around the world have been put into action to encourage citizens to wear a helmet when riding electric bikes. If you plan on investing in an electric bike, you must be aware of the laws in your state regarding helmets and protective gear.

What are Some of the Best Helmets to Use When Riding an Electric Bike in the US?

As we mentioned before, wearing a normal helmet when riding a traditional bike will ensure that you do not get a head injury in case of an accident. However, these helmets are not very useful when riding an electric bike at high speed.

Many helmets in the market are made specifically for electric bikes while keeping their speed and range in mind.

These helmets are slightly heavier so that they can absorb the shock of a bigger impact. Moreover, they will cover more area on your head so that you have more protection.

Here are some bestselling helmets that you should consider when riding your electric bike:

1. Giro Camden Helmet

Costing approximately $189.95, this helmet covers the back of the head, providing a significant amount of protection.

It has a huge red light at the back for visibility so that even if you are riding in rainy or foggy weather, you do not have to worry about someone hitting you just because they did not see you.

This helmet uses hybrid and in-molding construction to provide a reliable shell upper and lower shell. Of course, it also ensures that the side walls are impact-proof.

2. Lumos Matrix Helmet

Costing approximately $249.95, this helmet looks extremely similar to a traditional bicycle helmet that kids use. However, it is a great helmet, just like the Giro Camden helmet.

The best part about this helmet is that it comes with ample light for visibility purposes and covers the entire back of the head for additional protection. You can also change the light of the helmet as it is customizable.

It absorbs impact and is made using ABS shell and EPS foam liner, making it a reliable helmet.

3. Pedelec 2.0 Helmet

A slightly more superior helmet costs approximately between $136 to $169. It is bigger and bulkier than the previous helmets and covers a higher area of your head.

It comes with a visor that can be attached to the helmet if you want additional protection. Despite this, a red led light is also attached to the helmet for extra visibility.

Things to be Aware of When Choosing a Helmet

The key to choosing the right helmet is that it needs to be safe and comfortable, and if you want, it can be stylish too. Most electric bike helmets are made using polycarbonate and polystyrene foam.

Polystyrene foam is used inside the helmet as a liner, while polycarbonate helps ensure that the helmet’s shell remains solid. These two materials ensure that helmets remain comfortable and lightweight.

Modern helmets come with a dial fit system to ensure a superior fit and adjustment. When buying a helmet, you must ensure it fits your head correctly.

Here is all you need to do to ensure this:

  • Take a measuring tape and wrap it around the biggest part of your head. You must ensure that it touches the top of your eyebrows for accurate measurement.
  • With the help of chalk, make a note of the length. Then, compare it with the sizing of your bike helmets. We would recommend sizing down if you find that your measurements are between two numbers.

It is important that if your child is riding on an electric bike with you, they are wearing the correct helmet. Remember always to replace your kid’s helmet as they grow up. Children’s heads are likely to grow with age, and a helmet that fits them well right now may not fit next year.

Hence, check to see that they are wearing a good-fit helmet and ensure it is sitting on their head correctly. Tell your child that they must wear a helmet each time they ride a bike or accompany you on your electric bike. It does not matter if there is no traffic in the area. A crash can occur at any time, and one must always be prepared.

Moreover, you must ensure that the bike helmet you invest in is certified. Certain standards need to be adapted depending on where you live. If your helmet does not meet these standards, you could be arrested or put into jail.

You may have gotten into an accident before in which your helmet was affected due to the impact. Or maybe it hit the ground or another car or bike. In such a case, toss that helmet in the trash and get yourself a new one.

When you are in a car accident, the force of the accident travels from the outer shell of the helmet to its inner layers. Because of this, your head is protected and does not feel the accident’s impact.

Even if you see no cracks on the body of your helmet, you cannot be too sure that no internal damage occurred. Hence, make sure to get a new helmet in case of a crash!

When riding an electric bike, the safest bike helmet is the one you will consistently wear. The great news is that there are a number of helmets you can choose from that are comfortable, stylish, and lightweight. You do not need to buy a helmet that is too heavy or in which you feel too hot.

Try on as many helmets as you want before buying one in which you feel most comfortable. Do not compromise on quality. Moreover, you should remember that just because a helmet is expensive does not mean it is the best. Instead, every helmet will protect you as long as it is sturdy and durable.

Check out, Can You Ride Electric Mountain Bikes on the Road?

Helmet Laws around the United States

In the United States, there are three different categories of electric bikes:

Class 1: Electric Bicycles

These bicycles work with pedals that can operate at 20 miles per hour. However, they cannot go any faster.

Class 2: Electric Bicycles

These bicycles are throttle-controlled and can go up to 20 miles per hour but not any faster.

Class 3: Electric Bicycles

These bicycles work with pedals, but unlike the class 1 bikes, they can reach 28 miles per hour.

Here are some helmet laws in different states that you should be aware of:

Pennsylvania

Regardless of the electric bike that you are driving, you must wear a helmet if you are less than 12 years of age.

Louisiana

Regardless of your age, you must wear a helmet if you are riding a class 3 electric bike.

Alabama, Colorado

If you are riding a class 3 bike and are below 21 years of age, you must use a helmet.

Indiana

If you are under the age of 18 and riding an electric bike, you must wear a helmet.

Ohio, Virginia

Regardless of age, you must wear a helmet if riding a class 3 electric bike. The laws for class 1 and class 2 bikes depending on the county you reside in.

Do You Have to Wear a Helmet When Riding an Electric Bike
Do You Have to Wear a Helmet When Riding an Electric Bike

Why You Shouldn’t Ride an Electric Bike Without a Helmet

Keeping aside all statistic research, your brain is extremely important. Without it, you cannot function.

Statistics show that head trauma can cause cognitive dissonance. It does not necessarily mean that you will be the only one affected if you get into an accident. Instead, you could hurt other car passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Even if you do not invest in an extremely expensive helmet, you should underestimate how useful it can be. Helmets of all kinds protect from serious trauma and death too. Of course, you could still die if you are wearing a helmet, but the chances are less.

If you find that you are not fond of how you look while wearing a helmet or how it makes your hair look, take the time to look for alternative solutions. Not wearing a helmet is never an option.

When riding an electric bike in the US, you should not think that other drivers will be careful when passing you on the road. Instead, you should take care of yourself. You can never be too sure that a speeding car will not hit you. Hence, it is better to be safe and protected.

Moreover, if you get into a car crash and file a case against the driver who caused the accident, a jury will definitely notice that you were not wearing a helmet.

Hence, they will blame you for negligence even if your state has not made wearing helmets a law. In this case, you will be given a smaller settlement and may not even be able to cover your hospital bills or the damage caused to your electric bike.

Keep in mind that apart from protecting your brain, helmets also protect your face. According to a study, bike riders who wear helmets have a 31 percent lower chance of obtaining facial fractures. When you wear a helmet, the upper part of the face, especially the eyes, is extremely protected.

Did you know that each year, approximately 26,000 adolescents and children are treated for brain injuries in emergency rooms? This is only because they were riding a bicycle or electric bike without wearing a helmet in the first place.

Moreover, the study also proves that compared to head injuries obtained in football, cycling injuries make up double the number because cyclists do not wear helmets.

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