Florida’s governor signed a new law in Florida requiring young riders to wear helmets when trail and road riding.

In mid-June, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signed “Nicole’s Law,” named for 12-year-old Nicole Hornstein who died after she fell from her horse and hit her head on pavement.

Hornstein’s father, Gary, has been the force behind the law, and is now pushing for similar federal legislation. The Florida law requires children under 16 to wear helmets on roads and trails. The law will take effect on Oct. 1, 2009.

“This is an awfully important day,” Crist told the Palm Beach Post as he was signing the bill. “We have an opportunity to do something good.”