Amid regional safety concerns about youth riding electric scooters and bicycles, Alexandria City Council will consider expanding the city’s helmet requirement for young riders.
According to city code, bicycle riders 14 and under are already required to wear a helmet. The city code update would apply the same rule to electric power-assisted bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, motorized skateboards and motorized scooters as well.
Under a Virginia law that took effect on July 1, localities have the authority to require riders 14 and under to wear helmets while using these types of devices.
A helmet offense already carries a $25 civil penalty, which can be suspended for a first offense when a helmet is acquired. For a child 14 and under, the parents are liable for the fine.
There have been a number of recent fatalities involving e-scooter and e-bike riders, including in July in Herndon and Ashburn and in September in the city of Fairfax and D.C.
In Alexandria, a 16-year-old e-scooter rider was killed in an August 2022 crash at Sanger Avenue and N. Beauregard Street. Another 16-year-old riding a scooter was struck at King Street and N. Quaker Lane in November 2025, and a scooter rider had life-threatening injuries from a fall in the 600 block of N. Jordan Street in August 2025.
Alexandria’s permanent dockless mobility device program has been in place since November 2021 after a 2019 pilot. After another pilot program in 2023, the city added slow zones limiting maximum speeds on the Old Town waterfront, the adjacent pedestrian blocks and Founders Park.
According to a city staff memo, families would receive word of the updated helmet policy through the city’s Vision Zero outreach. City staff are also working with Alexandria City Public Schools on educating riders and distributing helmets.
First reading of the ordinance is set for Tuesday, Nov. 10, followed by a public hearing and final action on Saturday, Nov. 14.
