SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

Austin City Code tit. 12, ch. 12-2, art. 3

in effect

Austin City Code § 12-2-31 HELMET REQUIRED.

§ 12-2-31 - HELMET REQUIRED. (A) Except as permitted by Section 12-2-33 (Health Condition Exemption) a child may not operate or ride a micro-mobility device or a bicycle, sidecar, trailer, child carrier, seat, or other device attached to a micro-mobility device or bicycle unless the child is wearing a helmet. (B) Except as permitted by Section 12-2-33 (Health Condition Exemption) a parent may not permit a child to operate or ride a micro-mobility device or a bicycle, sidecar, trailer, child carrier seat, or other device attached to a micro-mobility device or bicycle unless the child is wearing a helmet. (C) Under this section, a helmet must: (1) be properly fitted and securely fastened to the child's head with the straps securely tightened; (2) not be structurally damaged; and (3) conform to the standards of the United States Product Safety Commission. Source: 1992 Code Sections 16-8-1 and 16-8-40; Ord. 031204-13; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20190523-059, Pt. 15, 5-3-19.

Austin City Code § 12-2-32 APPROVAL OF STANDARDS.

§ 12-2-32 - APPROVAL OF STANDARDS. The city council approves the bicycle helmet standards promulgated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Source: 1992 Code Section 16-8-43; Ord. 031204-13; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20190523-059, Pt. 15, 5-3-19.

Austin City Code § 12-2-33 HEALTH CONDITION EXEMPTION.

§ 12-2-33 - HEALTH CONDITION EXEMPTION. (A) A child is not required to wear a helmet if the child has in its immediate possession a health exemption identification prescribed by this section. (B) The city manager shall provide a health exemption identification to a child with a written statement: (1) from a licensed physician that states the child's health condition and explains why the condition prevents the child from wearing a helmet; and (2) that is approved by the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department. (C) The city manager shall establish procedures to implement this section. Source: 1992 Code Section 16-8-45; Ord. 031204-13; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 12-2-34 MULTIPLE RIDERS PROHIBITED.

§ 12-2-34 - MULTIPLE RIDERS PROHIBITED. A rider may not operate a micro-mobility device or bicycle with another rider or occupant, unless the device or bicycle is specifically manufactured and designed to accommodate multiple riders. Source: Ord. No. 20190523-059, Pt. 16, 5-3-19.

Austin City Code § 12-2-35 RESERVED.

Austin City Code § 12-2-36 PENALTY; ENFORCEMENT.

§ 12-2-36 - PENALTY; ENFORCEMENT. (A) A person commits an offense if the person performs an act prohibited by this article or fails to perform an act required by this article. (B) A culpable mental state is not required for the commission of an offense under this article. (C) A separate offense is committed each time an offense occurs. (D) Prosecution for an offense under this article does not prevent the use of other enforcement remedies or procedures applicable to the person charged with the conduct or involved in the offense. (E) An offense under this article is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed: (1) $20 on a first conviction; and (2) $40 on a subsequent conviction. (F) The municipal court may dismiss a charge against a person for an offense under Section 12-2-31 (Helmet Required) on receiving proof that the defendant acquired a helmet for the child who was operating or riding a micro-mobility device or bicycle in violation of Section 12-2-31 (Helmet Required) on or before the 30th day after the citation was issued. (G) To promote the use of helmets, the city council encourages the municipal court to consider deferred dispositions under Article 45.051 (Suspension of Sentence and Deferral of Final Disposition) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure where appropriate. (H) A police officer or officer designated by the Director may issue a citation for any violation of this ordinance. Source: 1992 Code Sections 16-8-2 (A) and (B), and 16-8-42; Ord. 031204-13; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20190523-059, Pt. 18, 5-3-19.

Austin City Code § 12-2-37 CIVIL ACTIONS.

§ 12-2-37 - CIVIL ACTIONS. (A) The city council adopts this article to encourage safety through the use of helmets and through the promotion of educational efforts. (B) The city council does not intend this article to be used in a manner to prejudice a person, child, or parent in a civil action arising out of an accident. The council encourages construction of this article accordingly. Source: 1992 Code Section 16-8-44; Ord. 031204-13; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20190523-059, Pt. 19, 5-3-19.

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT12TRRE_CH12-2MIBIDEBI_ART3SAEQFetched: 10/27/2026