At Rahman Law, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly a simple bike ride can turn into a serious injury. Across California, bicycle accidents involving children frequently result in head trauma – injuries that are often severe, life-altering, and largely preventable with proper helmet use. It may be hard to convince your child of the importance of always wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle. Modeling good behavior by always wearing a helmet yourself is a great first step to ensuring their safety.
Keep in mind that even a low-speed fall (not involving a collision with a car) without a helmet can result in significant head trauma and a trip to the Emergency Room. National data shows that children represent a significant share of emergency room visits for bicycle-related injuries. More than 220,000 children under age 19 are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year for bicycle injuries (Nationwide Children’s). Children ages 10-14 have the highest rate of bicycle-related injuries treated in the Emergency Room (CDC). This age group may think it isn’t cool to wear a helmet any more, but it’s up to us as a community to help influence children of all ages that helmets save lives. Parents can also help with strict rules including helmets while riding and ensuring the helmet is sized and fitted correctly. Letting children pick their own colors and patterns can be encouraging, too.
The California Helmet Law and Children
Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet under California Vehicle Code §21212. This requirement applies not only to bicycles, but also to: scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and similar devices. The law applies when riding on: public streets, bike paths, and trails and public rights-of-way. So basically, if your child is using something with wheels and they aren’t in your driveway or other private property, chances are good this law is going to require they wear a helmet. Failure to comply may result in a citation, which may not be a huge fine in your area, but the loss of protection for your child’s brain is something you can’t put a number on.
It’s also worth noting that helmets must meet recognized safety standards, such as those established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These helmets have been evaluated for strict safety standards to protect you from severe head injuries and will have a certification label.
Model safe cycling behavior for your kids and wear a helmet when you ride
In California, or in any state, children should wear helmets for their own protection. In California, it is the law. We understand it’s sometimes hard to encourage kids to make better choices and that the “do what we say, and not what we do” argument only gets us so far so when you ride, put on your own helmet to model good cycling practices for your kids, whatever their ages. We advocate for bicycle safety every chance we get, and that includes the safety of your children. Please do everything you can to ensure they always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.