Surprising Answer: Does Michigan Require Kids to Wear Bike Helmets?

If you asked any parent whether kids are required to wear bike helmets in Michigan, they'd probably say, 'Of course!' I mean, when was the last time you saw a kid (or adult) riding their bike without a helmet?

Since we almost never see kids riding their bikes without a helmet, it’s easy to assume it’s the law. Well, that's not necessarily the case.

When many of us, including me, were kids, you never saw kids wearing helmets while riding their bikes. If, for some reason, you did see a kid with a helmet, you felt bad for them because you knew other kids were going to give them hell for it.

Bike helmets started popping up in the '70s, but they were pretty much just a foam dome sitting on top of your head. In the '80s, they got a little better with hard shells, but they were still clunky and not exactly cool. By the '90s, helmet safety became a bigger deal, and laws started popping up in some states, making them more common for kids.

Here we are in 2025, and parents freak out if they see their kid go outside and hop on their bike without a helmet. I get it, though, no one wants to see their kids get hurt. In the '70s and '80s, we were a different breed. Kids were tougher, or at least we like to think so.

Does Michigan Require Kids to Wear Bike Helmets?

Surprisingly, Michigan doesn’t have a statewide law requiring kids to wear bike helmets. While some local ordinances might have rules in place, there’s no blanket law covering the entire state.