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Helmet Laws

Massachusetts
Youth Helmet Law
(For Persons 16 and Under)
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MGL CH 85, Sec. 11B Effective November 25,2004

 

Any person 16 years of age or younger must wear a properly fastened bicycle helmet when riding as the driver or passenger of a bicycle, a skateboard, in line skates, or a scooter.

 

This law applies to:

·   What: Any manually-propelled wheeled

·   Who: Both operators and passengers

·   Where: Streets, bike paths, sidewalks, park, parking lots or other public ways.

·   How: The helmet must fit the person’s head and be secured by straps at all times.

 

This law does not apply to:

·   Child passengers in an enclosed trailer

·   Children under one year old must not be transported on a bicycle.

 

For more information:

Injury Prevention and Control Program

Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health, Bureau of Family & Community Health

250 Washington Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02108-4619

1-800-CAR-SAFE

www.mass.gov/dph/fch/injury