Victimless Crimes
Riding a Bike Without a Helmet
Definition
A victimless crime is an infraction of criminal law without any identifiable evidence of an individual that has suffered damage in the infraction.
Motorcycle Helmets
- 19 states, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have a universal helmet law, requiring helmets for all riders.
- The remaining 28 states and Guam require helmets for specific riders.
Bicycle Helmets
Fewer states have enacted bicycle helmet laws. GHSA only tracks state laws. However, many localities require helmet use for some or all bicyclists.
- 21 states, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands have a helmet law for bicyclists below a certain age, generally about 16.
- Only the Virgin Islands requires helmets for all bicyclists.
- 29 states and Guam have no bicycle helmet law.
Bicycle: Prohibits persons under 18 from riding or being a passenger on a bicycle without wearing helmets meeting specified standards (ANSI or SNELL). Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $25.
Motorcycle: the fine for violation of California's helmet law can be anything from $10 and "proof of correction" up to $250.00 and one year's probation.
How It Affects The Family
When you do not wear helments there will be a cost. If a person may crash they have a ton of bills they will have to pay. There are Hospital bills if you really hurt yourself. If the bike gets messed up, there are repair bills. If things go to the worst there are even funneral cost. These are things that reallyu affect the family. The family will go through many emotional swings, they could be mad due to the bills, sad because their loved one is hurt. They could even be stressed because this is a stressfull situation.
Citations
Website Title: Motorcycle Riding Laws by State