The Indiana Bicycle Lawyers at Caress Law Group continue to take great pride in serving the Indiana community by advocating for cyclist rights and by representing injured victims of bike accidents in Indianapolis and the rest of Indiana. A very important part of our mission includes being vocal about bicycle safety. As we all know, cyclists are in a much different situation when riding on the road than motorists, as motorists are surrounded by steel and other metal parts. Bicycle riders are completely, wholly, 100% exposed, and while it is important for a motor vehicle operator to be safe and to wear his or her seatbelt, it is even more important that a biker take all necessary precautions possible when setting out for a ride.
Is Wearing A Helmet While Cycling A Law In Indiana?
We are often asked by Indiana bicyclists questions concerning the legality of wearing a helmet while cycling in Indiana. “Does Indiana law require wearing a helmet while riding a bike?” The answer is simple, but our input doesn’t stop there. The answer is no: Indiana law does not require that cyclists wear a helmet while riding. What this means is you cannot be issued a traffic ticket or cited for any type of violation in the State of Indiana for not wearing a helmet. Now that we are past that question, let’s proceed to more important, obvious question.
Should Indiana Bicycle Users Wear A Helmet?
Our Indiana bicycle injury lawyers cannot emphasize enough how important it is to wear a helmet each and every time you get on a bike. Just because it is not necessary by law to wear a helmet does not mean that you should refrain from wearing one. It’s also not necessary by law to breathe or drink water throughout the course of the day, but we highly recommend it! There is no downside to wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle in Indiana, whereas failing to use a helmet can lead to devastating results. You may tell yourself that you’re just going for a short ride and everything will be fine, but this doesn’t stop the careless driver who happens to be driving behind you who is simultaneously texting his friend from operating his vehicle into you. Keep in mind that some of the worst bicycle injuries are sustained when cyclists are riding short distances because they don’t find it necessary to wear a helmet.
The numbers are staggering. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, 91% of bicyclists killed in 2009 reportedly were not wearing helmets. Additionally, studies have linked helmet use to reduce the risk of head injury by 85%. As Hoosiers, we all have long-term goals that we want to make sure we live out. The Indianapolis bicycle accident attorneys encourage all people in Indiana to take advantage of the wide range of trails and paths our community has provided for us, but at the same time, please wear a helmet. And if your loved ones are biking and not wearing a helmet, make sure they are aware how much safer their ride will be if they wear a helmet.
If you have any comments or questions about Indiana bicycle laws or if you or a loved one has been injured while riding a bicycle in Indiana, please contact Caress Law Group’s Indiana Bicycle Lawyers at 317-255-5400 or by email at Lance@CaressLaw.com. It would be an honor and privilege to assist you or a loved one in your time of need. We understand this can be a very difficult time, which is why we dedicate a major part of our law practice to representing injured victims of bicycle accidents in Indiana.