Is a Helmet Required If a 2-Yr-old Is Riding a Tricycle on the Sidewalk ?

A.,

I think it's something like any person under the age of 18 and operating a bike, skateboard or scooter must wear a helmet.

My son loves his McQueen helmet and even reminds me that he needs to wear it and he's just going to be 3 in July.

Have fun!

In the state of California, children MUST wear a helmet when riding a bike, on a skateboard, inline skates, roller skates, scooters, etc....wherever they ride (street or sidewalk). I know it seems rediculous to have him wear it when he's on the sidewalk, as he is moving slowly & you are nearby, but it's a GREAT & possibly life saving habit to get him into now. Just think, what if a car lost control & came up onto the sidewalk? that helmet may save his life, you just don't know.... good luck to you, mama!

Whether it is required or not, my thinking is that it is better to always require one than not require it and then change the rules. He might like the feeling of not wearing one....

Legally, in California anyone under 18 is required to wear a helmet when riding anything on wheels (roller blades or skates, bike, trike, scooter ...). That said,the fines are low and it is not really enforced. Still, I'm a pediatric neuropsychologist, and I'm all for helmets because head injuries are epidemic in the US and I have, unfortunately, seen what happens after head injury. The other advantage of starting out your kids with the No helmet/No riding rule is that they grow up taking for granted that they should always wear a helmet. I told my kids that it was fine if they didn't want to wear a helmet, they just couldn't ride their bikes/trikes/ etc.

Thanks for being such a caring mom and taking such good care of your little guy!

Hi A.:
Legally,your son is not required by California law to wear a helmet,while riding a tricycle. The law pertains to bicycles,scooters, the big three wheeled bikes that they drive on the road,and of course motor bikes.They say,that toddlers wearing them at a young age will help establish good safety habits,but they aren't required,and you can't be cited for him going without.Wish your extremely coordinated,son and you safe riding. J. M.

I don't know if it's required, but it's a good habit to get him in; and while he's not riding fast now, he soon will be. I would say better to be prepared for the day he takes a corner to fast and topples his trike.

YES, concrete is hard no matter the age or speed!

It's the law for one and safety should be the utmost important for our children. Any child under the age of 16 is required to wear a helmet. If a police officer sees you, you can get a ticket.
You never know what can happen. Our son has a bike with training wheels, but since he doesn't want to wear his helmet, he can't ride it. He also has a scooter he loves, but since he won't wear his helmet, he can't ride that either.
Head injuries are way too dangerous to take any chances.

"If not now, when?"
In other words, just as others have pointed out, why blur the lines between when you wear a helmet or don't, (what kind of bike, what age, how fast, etc.) Just make it an everytime thing to start the habit.

i think he should wear one. my daughter whos 2 wears one when she rides her bike. its a good habit to get them in.

Hi A., I don't know the requirements, but I'd say use your gut feelings. Better be safe than sorry with your little guy and get him a helmet. Falls do happen even on the sidewalk and you don't want him to get hurt. Also, this will get him in the good habit of using a helmet for when he is bigger and rides faster.

It is good to establish these kinds of habits early. Put him in a helmet. Any time he is on a "wheeled vehicle" is a good rule for helmet wearing. My kids will ask the other neighborhood kids "where is your helmet?" when they are out riding.

Yes. It's just a good habit to get him into anyways... just like seat belts.

I'm pretty sure it is required. Also, if you have any grey area with him in regards to helmets than it may not sink in to wear it when it is a must. So really, any time he is on anything with wheels, he should be wearing a helmet. I was a little bit lax with my kids until a recent Dr. visit. My Dr. really nailed it in to me. Lucky for me, my kids, 4 and 6 have no issues with it, so it isn't a battle. My Dr. was very adiment because she see's head injuries that were preventable more than she'd like.

Here are some cute videos regarding trike safety: This is geared for preschooler's.
http://www.noggin.com/shows/stjude.php

YES. as a mom it is your law to protect the most fragile part on your child and yourself for that matter. It doesn't matter what it saws in any law books, the law of common sense says protect the children.

B.
Family Wellness Coach

I am not sure if he is required to wear a helmet...somehow I think so, though. I have my son wear his. It does not take but a moment for a little one to fall even when we are watching them closely. Also, it begins a good habit for his future. You are right on to wonder about this!

As an aside, and not to scare you...My husband was a chaplain at a hospital with a renowned childrens hospital. I have heard too many stories from him about young ones with head injuries which could have been prevented. Some with tragic conclusions. Our little ones are too precious a gift to take any chances.

It's good to start the habit now before he starts riding faster and further.

start the habit NOW!!!!! all 3 of my kids 8, 5 and 2, KNOW no skate board/bike/big wheel/car/trike/skooter etc...w/o a helmet. I have plenty of helmets around my house. One of my kids has had brain surgery (nothing to do w/ a helmet) and trust me-you don't want to go there.

I am the same way with my 3yr old son, but no longer. My neighbor recently told me a story of a young child who was riding her tricycle in her driveway, fell, hit her head and died on the spot. I hate hearing those stories, but it opens my eyes to reality. So, please always put on his helmet.

Always wear a helmet! The rule in our house is you can't ride anything without one. The smallest fall on their little heads can cause damage.

Does it really matter if a helmet is required or not. Shouldn't he be wearing a helmet anyway. I mean all it takes is one fall on the head. If you feel he should be wearig a helmet then he should be wearing a helmet.

Hello A.,

Not sure if it is required or not. But, when my son started to ride his tricycle we had him wear his helmet. We figured if we started him out that way, there would be no questions asked when we got to his big boy bike. He is now 3, will be 4 in Aug and he will not go near a bike without his helmet.

We are very proud of our little man for knowing helmet is the law.

M.

Yes! Even if he isn't going fast, his head hitting concrete or asphalt is not a good thing. Plus, it sets up great habits for the future.

Hi A.,

My advice would be to get him in the habit of putting on a helmet ANY time he's on a bike. If he thinks that there are only certain circumstances when a helmet is needed, then he will be unsure as he gets older and may end up in serious trouble. Even if it isn't required it will save you a lot of headaches down the line.

All it takes is to fall off in the street or to get hit by something for life changing injury. Yes, wear a helmet, even on a tricycle on the sidewalk. Mine always have. Just don't want to take the chance. They do make ones that are toddler sized.

I believe it is. Where we live all kids on bikes, scooters, etc. are suppose to wear them.

I would get him in the habit ASAP, that - "YOU NEVER RIDE ANY TYPE OF BIKE WITHOUT A HELMET."

K.

Hello, I am not sure how the law is for children riding tricycles. However, think of it as training for later when he is riding a two wheeler. While you are "training" him, he is also being protected from any falls which might happen.
Good luck with your precious little boy.
K. K.

It may not be required, but it is a good idea, if you can find one. Little ones have no real Idea of consiquences and will head down the huge hill in a lickety split, and end up rolling head over heels and ending up with the bike on top of them. And this is with you watching and in the process of lunging to stop them... So speaks someone who knows... Up to you though.
Good luck to you
R.

Yep! Better safe than sorry. They can be pretty creative in their falls!

This is a great time to start a good habit! (Even if it isn't "required"). You can get toddler size helmets at Target.

not sure if it's "required" by law. But it should be required by mom! #1 - you want to protect your little one's head! but #2 - get them in the habit now of wearing it and you'll have less battles later.

Yes, in California the law states that anyone under 18 years of age who is on anything on wheels (bike, skateboard, scooter, etc.) wear a helmet at all times. While I understand that he doesn't ride fast and you are always there, it's a good idea to have him wear one so he gets used to the idea and the feeling. When I get in my car, it feels strange to NOT have a seatbelt on because I am so used to it. It should feel like that for kids and helmets. I work in injury prevention and we see far too many kids hurt from not having a helmet on. Some of them are not even riding very fast at all...Enjoy this fun time with your son!

We just bought a trike (with a push bar for parent) for our 18-month old and have him wear a helmet even though we only push him around. I figure not only does he get used to it, but you never know what people, kids, cars, etc., around him might unexpectedly do (or may not see him since he's low to the ground).

Yes, he needs a helmet. Suppose there is a crack in the pavement and he overreacts and ends up on his head. You will feel much better that you've spent $10-20 on a safety helmet than you will driving to the emergency room to check for a concussion or God forbid worse. It is a good habit to start now. Bye the way, adults should wear helmets too!

Hi A.,
Helmet wearing isn't a requirement or a law as far as I know, it is a safety device to use by choice. I think you should definitely have a helmet on your son, to protect his head and to also help get him used to wearing one so it will be second nature when he gets a little more adept at riding. All it takes is one fall and he could really hurt his head. I'm a mom of 2, my 2 year old daughter doesn't like to wear hers much, but she is getting used to it. My son who is five automatically puts his on before riding. Lately he has seen other children in the neighborhood his age and older without one and I told him that he has a mom who cares about his brain and doesn't want him to hurt it. I know we didn't wear one when we were kids, but I'm sure many people weren't as lucky as we were and that's why they're everywhere now. I even wear one when I ride. I don't mean to lecture, I just feel it is very important. God Bless!

YES YES YES wear that helmet... practice for future years.. if he gets used to wearing it, you won't have to remind him when he gets older...

It's like learning to drive with no seatbelt just because the instructor is next to you :)

Safety first

My 2 yr old has been riding her tricycle, scooter and quad (battery operated) for a while now and I would highly suggest to make him wear his helmet. He may be slow now, but give it 2 weeks and he's going to be a speed demon! Plus it starts the habbit and you will want him to know that he has to wear it even when you're not around.

So far, the only state to require helmets for children on tricycles is New Mexico. Other than that, there's technically no rule to force him wearing a helmet. However, children can get hurt if they fall and hit their head just right. Plus, they ARE required in the state of CA to wear well-fitting helmets with secure straps for most other wheeled items (bikes, scooters, inline skates, skateboards, etc) until they are 18, so why not just get him into the habit now?

There are no negatives to wearing a secure helmet.

Even if it isn't required you may want to get him used to the idea that he needs to wear one while on wheels.