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New Jersey's Bicycle Helmet Law Changes

Elizabeth – As the weather improves and children begin to play outdoors, Mayor Bollwage reminds residents that New Jersey’s Bicycle Helmet Law has changed. Young people under the age of seventeen are now required to wear an approved helmet when cycling, roller skating, in-line skating, or skateboarding.

“Every year hundreds of young people under the age of 18 die or are seriously injured as a result of not wearing safety helmets,” said Mayor Bollwage. “The new Bicycle Helmut Law is a great improvement since it allows us to better protect our children and young adults and make sure that they are safer even when they are out playing.”

The changed Bicycle Helmet Law includes an increase in the age requirements for wearing a helmet while cycling, roller skating, in-line skating, or skateboarding in the state of New Jersey. The previous helmet law only affected young riders under the age of fourteen.

Head injury is the most serious injury type and the most common cause of death among bicyclists. Brain injury is also a leading cause of death and disability in children and young adults. The most severe injuries are those to the brain that cause permanent damage. Bicycle helmets can prevent or diminish the severity of these injuries. According to the Surgeon general, a properly worn helmet is the single most effective safety device available to reduce brain injury and death by as much as 88%.

“Making sure the children of our community are safe is one of our most important responsibilities,” said Second Ward Councilwoman Carla A. Mazza “I, and my colleagues on City Council, have always worked hard to ensure that there are adequate safety helmet laws in place to protect our children and young adults.”

According to the New Jersey Helmet Law All helmets must be properly fastened and fitted. Bicycle helmets must meet the federal standards developed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which ensure the best head protection and strong chin straps to keep the helmet in place during a fall or collision. Also acceptable are helmets meeting the Snell Memorial Foundation’s 1990 Standard for Protection Headgear.

Initial violators of the helmet law will receive warnings. For minors, the parent or legal guardian may be fined a maximum of $25 for the first offense and a maximum of $100 for subsequent offense(s), if lack of parental supervision contributed to the offense.