A bill introduced today in the New York City Council would require all Big Apple bicyclists, no matter their age, to wear a helmet. New York City law currently requires bikers 13 years old and younger and all commercial cyclists (bike messengers and delivery people) to wear a helmet. The proposed legislation faces a tough battle, according to news reports.

Helmet legislation exists in dozens of municipalities and counties nationwide and several states. Some areas require all riders to wear a helmet, while other locales' laws cover only certain age groups. According to the most recent data available, 51,000 bicyclists were injured in traffic in 2009 (up from 43,000 in 2007) and 630 bicyclists were killed.

To find out what the requirements are where you live, check the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute's list of helmet laws. Consumer Reports believes all bicyclists should wear a helmet to prevent injury or worse.

Use our bike helmet buying guide and Ratings of adult and child helmets (available to subscribers) to find the right model for yourself or family members. Watch the video below to see how we test helmets.

Source:
Bill Seeks Helmets for Adult Bikers [Wall Street Journal]