From 2026, helmets will be mandatory for everyone, including rent

The freedom to ride with your hair flowing freely is coming to an end. As of January 1, 2026, a strict requirement comes into force – wearing a helmet becomes mandatory for all electric micromobility vehicles, with no exceptions.

The previous regulation, which allowed riders of electric scooters, skateboards, or electric bicycles to decide for themselves whether to protect their heads or take the risk, is now history. According to the updated Road Traffic Rules, the regulations have been unified: your age no longer matters, nor whether you are riding on a bike path or on the street. If you are operating an electric micromobility vehicle without a helmet, your journey is now considered a violation.

These changes, approved by the Government, were introduced to address the growing number of injuries. As stated in the official government announcement, Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas emphasized that previous rules requiring helmets only for minors were insufficient. According to the minister, in order to ensure maximum safety and prevent hundreds of serious accidents and fatalities each year, it was decided to eliminate all exceptions – a helmet is now mandatory for every rider.

What about shared mobility services?

One of the biggest questions raised by city residents following the introduction of the new regulation is how to act when using “Bolt” or other shared mobility platforms.

Responsibility is also being shifted to businesses. Since the electric micromobility vehicle is rented, the service provider is required to supply a helmet. This means that users who want to use short-term rentals do not need to carry a personal helmet with them – it must be provided directly with the vehicle or at the rental point.

Technical requirements and visibility

Along with the mandatory helmet requirement, authorities remind riders that only technically sound electric vehicles are allowed to participate in traffic. Your scooter or electric bicycle must have:

• A functioning brake and audible warning signal;
• A white front light and a red rear light;
• Orange reflectors on both sides.

Visibility is also emphasized: when riding on the roadway, wearing a high-visibility vest or using lights is mandatory. During nighttime hours, both a reflective vest and working lights are required. While not mandatory, specialists strongly recommend using additional knee and elbow protection.

How do you know if a helmet is suitable?

If you are rushing to purchase a helmet to comply with the new requirements, experts warn against choosing the cheapest, uncertified options. To avoid fines and ensure real protection, the product must be reliable.

When purchasing, always look for a label with the CE mark and a reference to the LST EN 1078 standard. Also remember to wear the helmet correctly: it should sit securely on your head and cover your forehead. For those who want not only to comply with regulations but also ensure maximum protection, “Velonova” recommends choosing advanced helmets with a MIPS system, which provides additional protection against rotational impacts.