There's no helmet law in PA, so I wear one of those novelty helmets. Can't do it when I go to NY --- gotta be DOT. Have to be DOT in OH, or is novelty OK, like PA?

 

http://www.bikersrights.com/states/50state.html

that site will have all 50 states' laws.

a novelty helmet is never legal in a helmet state.

 

Got it. Thank you.

 

Here is another link that should help. Save it to your favorites.

http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

 

I always wondered about this.....what is the sense of wearing a novelty helmet when no helmet is required at all? Is it to keep your hair in place or what? Just seems really dumb to me to wear something useless, especially when wearing nothing at all is an option. Fill in the blank----- "I'm not required to wear a helmet in my area but I wear a fake one anyway because________________________."

 

No helmet in Ohio if you are 18 or older and not a novice rider. The Ohio Revised Code requires helmets to be DOT approved BUT it's the officers burden of proof to show it's not.

 

My son lives in Ohio. If over 18 yrs of age, no helmet is required. But, if you wear no helmet you must wear eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, etc.). That is what he tells me.

 

I live in Ohio, Cincinnati. No laws on Helmets. Kinda curious too, why do you wear a novelty when you don't have to wear one at all? I can understand, and often do wear a DOT, but the novelty doesn't make sense. Do they offer some degree of protection? I've heard that some of the Carbon Fiber ones almost meet DOT standards, is that what you have?

 

In my state (WA) DOT helmets are required but a $1.50 sticker will virtually make any helmet DOT. Around here the LEO's pretty much leave you alone as long as you have something on your head.
I almost exclusively wear a "novelty" helmet although I own six others from fullface to half - DOT to SNELL. I prefer it and I accept any and all risks by doing so. I've worn it many times in states that have no helmet requirement for reasons usually related to weather (seems so obvious).
I must admit I'm a little aggravated with the **** tone of some of the questions posted. Fill in the blank? The novelty doesn't make sense? Sheesh...c'mon guys, get over yourselves.

 

I'm not sold on the fact that a 1/2 helmet will really do much more than a "novelty" helmet under the right circumstances. I wear a novelty helment around town, but usually if i'm going to be on the highway, i'll wear a DOT approved 1/2 helmet. why? who knows, maybe its just a false sense of security. I have ridden without a helmet and not really worried about it at that point either.