I'm ambivalent.

On the one hand, I think that people are nuts not to wear a helmet. I would NEVER ride without a helmet, especially since I've cracked a few in my time, in lieu of cracking my head.

On the other hand, I agree with those who say that we are already over-legislated and that the existence of such a law won't change a whole lot. All sorts of "minor" and not so minor laws are flaunted on a regular basis without any enforcement at all.

And the talking point that fixedgeargirl mentions is true - Helmets DON'T prevent accidents. Here's what drives me crazy - The news media in Oregon ALWAYS mentions in a story whether or not a cyclist was wearing her helmet when struck. Seems a moot point to me. When hit by a 3000 pound vehicle at any speed above 5mph, the cyclist is going to lose regardless of helmet usage. Soooooo, if you make a mandatory helmet law, and a cyclist doesn't wear a helmet and is struck, does that mean that any injuries will be blamed on the cyclist?? (probably) Even when the motorist is the one at fault? Seems like an easy out for the motorists.

Quote Originally Posted by Nanci
And don't you think the police have enough to do without having to chase down and ticket cyclists??? That would be a HUGE waste of resources. Nanci
It does happen. As Eden mentioned, we do have two complimentary programs going on here in Portland. One is a volunteer-run program called Get Lit. Community members hand out free lights to folks seen not using them at night. The Police Department modeled their own program after Get Lit. Officers DO stop cyclists without lights, give them a warning, then install the lights on the bikes right then and there. Thousands of lights have been given out this way.

If there were a mandatory helmet law here, you can be sure the police would stop and ticket cyclists not using helmets. Despite the prevalence of cycling here, cyclists and the Portland Police Dept have a sometimes rancorous relationship. Cyclists are regularly ticketed in Portland for a variety of reasons. The most common is running stoplights and stopsigns. There are regular stings in town. It's typically an intersection-based sting, and all road users (bikes AND motorists) get the same ticket. I think it's about $250. You can also be ticketed for riding without a brake (This is a big deal to the bike messengers, many of who ride fixed gear track bikes). But I guess I don't really have a problem with ticketing cyclists, as long as enforcement effects all road users. Same road, same rights, same rules.

The seat belt comparison is an interesting one. It's my understanding that one can not be pulled over SOLELY for lack of seatbelt use. In other words, a police officer who observes the lack of seatbelt use must have some other reason to pull over a motorist, and can give the seatbelt ticket as a secondary offense. I wonder if the helmet law would/could be similarly enforced.

Susan