The state of Arizona has no mandatory helmet use law for bicyclists; there are a few municipalities that have their own rules.
Specifically, I believe this is a correct list at bhsi.org, current as of mid-2011 (and I see nothing in the pipeline):
| Municipality | applies only to | Year Enacted | |
| Tempe | Under 18 | 2019 Sec. 19-215 | |
| Flagstaff | Under 18 | 2010? | |
| Pima County | Under 18 | 1995 | |
| Sierra Vista | Under 18 | 1995 | |
| Tucson | Under 18 | 1993 | |
| Yuma | Under 18 | 1997 | |
| Oro Valley | Under 18 | may be 2017, see below. Note as of Sept 2020: not currently on the bhsi list) | |
| – | – | – |
Noteworthy: as I scan the whole list of all states, I don’t see any state that mandates adult helmet use, only various ages of minors.
Motorized Bicycles
The city of Tucson (and possibly Pima county?) has helmet rules applying to motorized bicycles requiring helmet use; but if i recall correctly they completely
Although as of this writing (Nov 2016) this proposal hasn’t been adopted, the City of Tempe has floated rules which would make riders below 18 years to wear a helmet when operating various forms of motorized bicycles; and operators must be at least 16 years old.
In case you were wondering, Motorcyclists…
According to iihs.org there is a state law for under-18 year-old motorcyclists — including “motor driven cycles” (< 5hp). The statute is 28-964; and a quick read says that “motor driver cycles” do not include either mopeds or “motorized bicycles” but I’m not really sure. Here is some material from www.usff.com/hldl/hlstatutes/arizonahl.html (I removed the link, if you want to visit the site, copy and paste it… as of Feb 28, 2013 this link is listed as “may harm your compter” by google), and anti-motorcycle mandatory helmet law site.
I was told by American Bike Shop owner that helmets would be required for bicycles effective 1 Oct 2012.
I cannot find anything to support that; is there further information?
We are in Maricopa County, Goodyear.
Thanks!
I can tell you, that there is no (new or old) STATE law that would require that. I don’t know about Goodyear for certain… I did a quick google and I don’t see anything; if you find out otherwise please let me know. p.s. I do recommend wearing a helmet while bicycling!
I happened across this legislation from 2000, which apparently never made it out of the house:
HB 2546, 44th leg 2nd reg. session.
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/44leg/2r/bills/hb2546p.htm
Currently proposed:
http://www.azleg.gov/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=SB1170&Session_ID=112
http://www.azleg.gov//FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/51leg/2r/bills/sb1170p.htm&Session_ID=112
Town of Oro Valley
Code 11-3-16 Use of Bicycle Helmets for Minors.
A. Requirement for helmet use. No person under 18 years of age shall ride a bicycle or be a passenger on a bicycle, ride in a restraining seat attached to a bicycle, or ride in a device towed by a bicycle unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet which meets the current standards of the American National Standards Institute for protective headgear.
…
Amended by (O)94-17A, which I’m guessing may mean 2017??
Interesting that they cited ANSI, a standard that was declared obsolete in 1995. All bicycle helmets sold in the US since 1999 must be approved by Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
https://helmets.org/standard.htm