Please, no helmet law expansion
Senator Floyd Prozanski plans to propose expanding Oregon's bicycle helmet law. Currently, the law requires helmet use for anyone under 16. This expansion would make it apply to adults, too.
Full story at bikePortland.
I really hope this doesn't happen. Since I've already explained my position, I don't really need to do it again. I think helmet laws are just going to discourage bicycle use.
I feel we're approaching a defining moment, where gas prices will have a lot of people seriously considering alternative modes of transportation. We need to encourage bicycle use, but I feel this expansion of the helmet law will discourage it.
And please note, I'm pro-helmet use. I always ride with one, and I scoff at those that don't.
Comments
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I agree with you on the potential for the new law discouraging bike riders, although they would have to actually enforce the law. I can't remember the last time I saw any of the kids riding around my neighborhood or at the local parks wearing helmets. I guess they think it would be easier to ticket and generate some revenue from an adult not wearing a helmet, than it is to track down a parent of a latchkey kid and issue a "fix it" ticket like they do now.
# Posted By Thom
| 7/22/08 3:55 PM
Scott here up in Vantucky…well back when I only had 183,679 miles on my ’78 Firebird (cooler than a Camaro) this law went into effect and everyone thought it was really going to suck. 7,368 miles later, I still see people riding bikers without helmets in the city and I don’t think the law is being enforced at all. Not only that, I’m seeing more and more people commute out of our neck of the woods. I don’t think it’s as much of a deterrent to riding a bike as you think it may be. Maybe this is just a Couv thing as most bikes up here our obtained with the use of a set of bolt cutters, not from a bike shop.
# Posted By Scott G.
| 7/22/08 4:03 PM
Since cars and bikes apparently have to follow the exact same rules of the road, I think it would be sensible for automabile drivers to also have to wear helmets.
# Posted By Richard
| 7/28/08 8:49 AM
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