Some countries , like Australia , France , and Germany , have laws about wearing helmets when driving a motorcycle . However , there is no federal law in the United States about this . twenty states have helmet laws for all riders , and twenty-seven states have laws covering some rider , usually those younger than eighteen . However , states like Colorado , Illinois , and Iowa have no helmet laws . Likewise , there is no federal law about bicycle helmets in the United States ; however , states have stated to make their own laws . For example , in California , riders under the age of eighteen must wear helmets . Whereas in Hawaii , Maine ,and Georgia , the age is sixteen , and in Massachusetts , it is thirteen !