This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with your state DOT or a licensed attorney before relying on this for any legal matter. Read full disclaimer.
Tennessee requires a bicycle helmet for any rider under the age of 16. The same rule extends to children carried as passengers in a child seat or trailer. TCA § 55-52-105 requires every person under 16 to wear a properly fitted and fastened approved bicycle helmet whenever operating or riding as a passenger on a bicycle on any public road, sidewalk, or bike path. Penalties are de minimis — the violation is not punishable by a fine — but the law is intended to support helmet education and parental responsibility. See TCA § 55-52-105 (Helmet required for bicycle riders under sixteen).
If you're 16 or older, Tennessee doesn't require you to wear a helmet by state law. Riders under 16 (and any child carried as a passenger) must wear a helmet that meets the CPSC standard.
Cities can be stricter than the state floor, and bike-share systems often require helmets regardless of age. If you're renting or commuting in a major city, confirm the local rule before you ride.