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Do you have to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in Nevada?

No. Bicyclists do not have to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or e-bike in Nevada. Though the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) strongly recommends that cyclists wear bike helmets to minimize head injuries in the event of a bicycle accident.1

Do I have to wear a bike helmet at night?

No. There is no Nevada bicycle helmet law that requires people riding a bike or e-bike to wear a helmet day or night. Though in order to ride at night (or in poor visibility), the bike must have:

  1. a front lamp emitting a white light visible from 500 feet;
  2. a rear red reflector visible from 50 feet to 300 feet; and
  3. reflective material visible from both sides from 600 feet or a lighted lamp visible from both sides from 500 feet.2

Bicycle riders are advised – but not required – to wear reflective clothing as well to maximize bicycle safety.

If I wear a helmet, can I drive against traffic?

No. Nevada’s bicycle laws require riders to ride with traffic at all times whether or not they are wearing a helmet. It does not matter whether they are in a regular lane or a designated bike lane.

Bike riders are also required to follow the same traffic laws as motorists (such as stopping at red lights and yielding right-of-way at intersections and crosswalks, etc.). If they violate traffic laws, cyclists can be cited the same as drivers.

In addition, Nevada bike laws require cyclists to give hand signals before making right- or left turns unless:

  • they are in a designated turn lane; or
  • it would not be safe to lift their hand from the handlebar3

Do I have to wear a helmet when riding a moped in Nevada?

Yes. Nevada state law requires moped drivers to wear helmets that meet these six conditions:

  1. Chin straps with rivets;
  2. At least three pounds;
  3. At least one inch of firm polystyrene foam inner lining;
  4. No external pieces extending more than two-tenths of an inch from the helmet’s exterior;
  5. Labeled with the manufacturer’s name, model, year, and materials; and
  6. Imprinted on the back with DOT to certify compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards.

Failing to wear a helmet while driving a moped is an infraction carrying two demerit points from the Nevada DMV.4

How are mopeds different from e-bikes?

Mopeds are stronger and faster than electric bikes:

E-bikes

Mopeds
  • goes up to 20 mph on a flat surface
  • produces up to 1 gross brake horsepower
  • produces up to 750 watts final output
  • goes up to 30 mph on flat surface
  • produces up to 2 gross break horsepower
  • produces up to 1,500 watts final output5

Remember, helmets are required for riding mopeds but not e-bikes in the state of Nevada.

Also see our article on Nevada motorized bicycle laws.

Bike accidents can be much worse if the rider is not protected by headgear.

Questions? Contact our Nevada personal injury attorneys. We also have offices in California, Colorado, Arizona, and Texas.

Helpful Links

Legal References

  1. Nevada Bicycling Guide, NDOT.
  2. NRS 484B.783.
  3. NRS 484B.763. NRS 484B.768.
  4. NRS 486.231. NRS 482.069. NRS 482.206.
  5. NRS 486.038. NRS 484B.017.

About the Author

Picture of Michael Becker

Michael Becker

Michael Becker has over a quarter-century's worth of experience as an attorney and more than 100 trials under his belt. He is a sought-after legal commentator and is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Nevada, California, and Florida.

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