• Bicycle Helmets   bicycle
     
    Did you know?
    • Most cyclist fatalities occur at locations, other than intersections, between 4 pm and 8 pm.
    • Head injuries cause 43% of deaths in children between the ages of 5 and 9.
    • 70% - 80% of all bicycle fatalities involve head injury.
    • The majority of children's bicycle injuries do NOT involve cars, but occur from falls on driveways, sidewalks and bike paths.
    • 85% of head injuries sustained in biycle crashes could be prevented if cyclists wore helmets. 
    • Good quality bike helmets can cost as little as $15.
    • A properly fitted bike helmet fits snug on the head and is level from front to back, resting just above the eyebrows.
    • A bike helmet provides little or no protection if the chin strap is not properly adjusted and securely fastened.
    The law:  Who must wear bicycle helmets?
    • All children under age 14 who are either operators or passengers on bicycles.  This includes two wheeled bicycles equipped with training wheels.
    • All child passengers over 1 year but under 5 years must be carried in a specially designed child safety seat.  The seat must be securely attached to the bike, equipped with restraints to secure the child in the seat, and designed to protect the child from all moving bike parts.

    It is illegal to carry a child under 1 year old as a passenger on a bicycle, even if the child is in a pack fastened to the operator.

    Penalties:
     
    An adult operator of a bicycle may be fined up to $50 for each child bicycle passenger violation.
     
    Parents or guardians are responsible for all bicycle helmet violations by children under age 14.  The parent or guardian may be fined up to $50 for each such violation.
Last Modified on October 22, 2007