Helmet required.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 45-326
in effectSec. 45-326. - Helmet required.
(a) It is unlawful for any child to operate or ride upon a bicycle or any side car, trailer, child carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle unless the child is wearing a helmet.
(b) It is unlawful for a parent to suffer or permit a child under 14 years of age to operate or ride upon a bicycle or any side car, trailer, carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle unless the child is wearing a helmet.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution that the bicycle was not being operated upon a public way at the time of the alleged offense.
(d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section, upon first offense only, that the person owns or has acquired a helmet prior to the court hearing and promises the court that the helmet will be used in the future.
(e) This section shall not be applicable to the operation of a pedicab pursuant to Article III of chapter 46 of this Code.
(Ord. No. 95-813, § 1, 7-12-95; Ord. No. 2010-834, § 5, 10-27-2010)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH45TR_ARTXIIBI_DIV3BIHE_S45-326HEREFetched: 10/26/2026