No bike helmet laws for any age in Arkansas. No helmet laws for motorcycle riders in Arkansas with one exception. Anyone under 21 is required to wear a helmet on a motorcycle. Arkansas has never had a helmet law for cyclist that I'm aware of.

However, Motorcycle helmets were always mandatory until a few years ago. I don't remember why Ark repelled the motorcycle helmet law. I will say this. Concerning bike helmets, I've saw one person in my city that wears one. He rides a tri bike cannondale.

I'm in my 50's, and there has never been a serious injury to a cyclist in this city that I'm aware of. I've lived here all my life. In all those years I can't remember any adult or kid with not even one serious injury. None of these people have ever worn helmets, and their have been no bicycle fatalities.

Concerning the motorcycle helmets. The owners of "sports bikes" AKA "Crotch Rockets" tend to all wear helmets. The older guys on crusiers, especially the Harley riders wear bandanas with no helmets. This is the scenario in my city. I can't speak for the whole state. However, around my city. No bicycle helmets, and only "Crotch Rocket" motorcyclist wear helmets.

I think Ark may be trying to thin out the population on the motorcyclist. I have no idea. Personally, I think helmet laws should be mandatory for all motorcyclist. There has been one motorcycle fatality about 2 miles outside of the city I live in. It happened around 1969...Helmet laws were in effect at that time. For bicycles, I don't think that helmets should be mandatory.

BTW, I forgot to mention that their have been a couple of people dying from head injuries. Both were freak accidents that didn't have anything to do with cycling. Both victims were 2 elderly ladies that lived alone. One tripped in her bathroom and hit her head on the bathtub. This lady died. A few years later another elderly lady that lived alone fell and hit her head, and she was also killed.

So, we have had some people die in this city from head injuries..but neither was bike related. I'm scheduled to take the "MSF' or "motorcycle safety course" later this month. I ordered my Motorcycle helmet tonight. I don't care what the law says. There is no way I would get on a motorcycle without a helmet.

When I ride a motorcycle..I will always have a helmet on my head.

Here's a Link to a webpage that shows bicycle helmet laws by state in 1998. Probably outdated by now. Bicycle Helmet Laws By State In 1998

Motorcycle Helmet Laws By State


Here's a thread over 60 pages long arguing for and against wearing bicycle helmets in the safety forum.

Bicycle Helmet Debate