The Observation Deck

Is there a helmet law in Lakewood for bicycles (or is it just "suggested")? If so, could you please show me the link where you found the info so I can pass it along. Thanks

311.031HELMETS FOR PERSONS OPERATING BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER-SKATES OR IN-LINE SKATES.
(a) No person under the age of eighteen shall operate a bicycle, skateboard, roller- skates or in-line skates within the City unless the person is wearing a protective helmet on their head, with the chin strap fastened under the chin. Such helmet shall be fitted to the size of the operator. This requirement shall also apply to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat which is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle. This subsection shall not be applicable to the operation of bicycles, skateboards, roller-skates or in-line skates on private residential property.
(b) No parent, guardian or legal custodian of a minor person who engages in conduct prohibited by subsection (a) shall create a substantial risk to the health or safety of such minor person by aiding, abetting, causing, encouraging or permitting such conduct. Whoever violates this subsection shall be fined in an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00). For each and every subsequent violation of this subsection, a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be imposed.

(c) The Court may dismiss all charges pursuant to this section upon presentation of evidence that a violator hereof has purchased or obtained a protective helmet which meets or exceeds the standards set forth herein subsequent to the violation.
(d) Failure to wear a protective helmet as herein described shall not be considered evidence of either comparative or contributory negligence in any civil suit arising out of any accident in which a person under eighteen years of age is injured, nor shall failure to wear a protective helmet be admissible as evidence in the trial of any civil action.

What a ridiculous municipal code. Worried about kids on bicycles/skateboards without a helmet? And even less enforcement than whatever codes we have about shoveling snow or mowing grass. Stuff like this that no one intends to enforce should be removed from the code.

Let's see what's in the news today:
Plans are moving ahead on Mohammed Ali's funeral (a truly great man), and doctors have reiterated that his brain damage was caused by repeated blows to the head.

Kevin Love might have a concussion

And Todd Vainisi says the Lakewood bicycle helmet law for kids is "ridiculous."

In the past I've read how police would stop kids with helmets on and give them some kind of reward. That kind of positive reinforcement is a worthwhile approach.

Dan, you are absolutely right.

Well, Dan. Start counting the number of bicyclers and skateboarders you see without a helmet on and ask yourself why they aren't all being ticketed. I make my daughter wear a helmet when she rides her bike. I sure as hell don't need Lakewood to tell me to do it. I have been completely innundated with information about CTE and brain injuries. Also, CTE is not thought to come from a single event (like falling off of your bike in Lakewood), it comes from the constant battering to the head experienced by boxers and nfl players.

My main point is that it is stupid to have a bunch of municipal codes in the books that nobody intends to enforce.

I guess Hell must have just frozen over because I agree with Todd. Don't have codes on the books that you can't uniformly enforce or have no intention of doing so.

todd vainisi wrote:Well, Dan. Start counting the number of bicyclers and skateboarders you see without a helmet on and ask yourself why they aren't all being ticketed. I make my daughter wear a helmet when she rides her bike. I sure as hell don't need Lakewood to tell me to do it. I have been completely innundated with information about CTE and brain injuries. Also, CTE is not thought to come from a single event (like falling off of your bike in Lakewood), it comes from the constant battering to the head experienced by boxers and nfl players.

My main point is that it is stupid to have a bunch of municipal codes in the books that nobody intends to enforce.

Many municipal codes are on the books merely as a way to legally cover the municipality's ass.

todd vainisi wrote:What a ridiculous municipal code. Worried about kids on bicycles/skateboards without a helmet? And even less enforcement than whatever codes we have about shoveling snow or mowing grass. Stuff like this that no one intends to enforce should be removed from the code.

Not every violation can be enforced, but the law exists to normalize positive behavior.
For example, seat belt laws have had a major impact over the past few decades.....they have conditioned people to "click it", which has saved many lives.
When I was a kid in the 70s, many people failed to buckle up.

Drunk driving laws have had a similar impact.
People used to think driving drunk was no big deal.
Then in the early 80s MADD came along and toughened the laws.
Many people still evade enforcement, but the culture has been positively changed.

We should definitely look into getting something on the books about running with scissors. You can maim yourself. What do you think - like $20 ticket or something if they see you and feel like giving you a ticket?

I agree we have too many unnecessary laws in Lakewood, but I don't think this is one of them. If only a few more kids (or adults) wear helmets, it is worth it.

Dan, vastly better than writing some stupid law in a municipal code that nobody ever reads (except when it's pointed out on the deck) are programs like safety town and other outreach to educate kids and parents. I would seriously doubt that our municipal code has put a helmet on a single kid (you have to know about a law in order for it to affect you) - so no, in my opinion (and if my doubts about it's effectiveness are correct then in your opinion too) it wasn't worth the bloat in our municipal code. I appreciate your support and am glad we agree.

How can they have a helmut law for bike when you can ride a motorcycle lawfully with no helmut. im confused

todd vainisi wrote:Dan, vastly better than writing some stupid law in a municipal code that nobody ever reads (except when it's pointed out on the deck) are programs like safety town and other outreach to educate kids and parents. I would seriously doubt that our municipal code has put a helmet on a single kid (you have to know about a law in order for it to affect you) - so no, in my opinion (and if my doubts about it's effectiveness are correct then in your opinion too) it wasn't worth the bloat in our municipal code. I appreciate your support and am glad we agree.

I'm not sure when this law was passed - seems to me there was a flurry of such minor ordinances 20-30 years ago. But I recall that more was made of it when my kids were young. One of the benefits of the law, even if not enforced, is it creates a teaching opportunity which apparently is not happening now.

Maybe a good comparison is dog licenses. I'm guessing that most people don't bother with them any more as the requirement is not enforced. There is a benefit in identifying the animal if it gets lost, but little is done to communicate this, and the benefit seems puny next to newer means of identification like electronic chips. I once part of a group that reviewed a list of dog licensees in Lakewood and a substantial number of public officials who we knew to have dogs did not have licenses.