Source: https://www.schollelaw.com/georgia-bicycle-helmet-law-and-required-bicycle-equipment-and-ac.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 13:57:49+00:00

Document:
Legal Commentary. This Georgia bicycle statute governs the required headgear for bicycle riders in Georgia. Essentially, the Georgia bicycle helmet law provides that everyone under the age of sixteen (16) years must wear a ANSI compliant helmet. If you are over 16, then you do not have to wear a bicycle helmet in Georgia. Moreover, there are no criminal penalties for failing to wear a helmet. Subsection (d)(6) makes it clear that no person under 16 years of age can be fined or imprisoned. However, when read in conjunction with O.C.G.A. § 40-6-297, it is possible that a parent could be charged with a misdemeanor of failing to equip their child with a bicycle helmet.
As an Atlanta Georgia bicycle and cycling injury lawyer, I would worry more about how a negligent motorist might blame the cyclist, even a child, for not wearing a helmet. Subsection (d)(5), however, provides that the failure to wear a helmet shall not be considered negligent on the part of the cyclist. Therefore, a child injured in a serious Atlanta bicycle accident should not be judged negligent himself or herself for the failure to wear proper headgear. This is similar to the law concerning seatbelts.
Subsections (a)(b) and (c) provide the Georgia law with respect to the necessity of a required bike light for nighttime bicycle operation, a proper brake and the prohibition of “Ape” or “Ape Hanger” high bicycle handlebars. These high handlebars are extremely dangerous and have caused several deaths nationwide. Most states now ban such high handlebars.
HISTORY: Ga. L. 1973, p. 471, § 5; Code 1933, § 68A-1207, enacted by Ga. L. 1974, p. 633, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 2048, § 5; Ga. L. 1993, p. 518, § 3; Ga. L. 2000, p. 951, § 5A-7; Ga. L. 2005, p. 334, § 18-10/HB 501; Ga. L. 2011, p. 426, § 3/HB 101.

References: § 40
 § 5
 § 68
 § 1
 § 5
 § 3
 § 5
 § 18
 § 3