Vancouver police are delivering an important message: Kids, wear your helmets.
Patrols by the Vancouver Police Department’s Traffic Unit will focus increasingly on making sure all bicyclists are complying with a city ordinance requiring helmets be worn at all times, Kim Kapp, a spokeswoman, said Monday.
Parents are held responsible for anyone younger than 18 cited for not wearing a helmet, or having one on but not appropriately fastened, according to the city’s code.
Kapp said police are increasingly focused on helmets as weather slowly warms and more people opt for something other than four-wheeled transportation. She said the issue is an important one for members of the traffic unit who have arrived at many crash scenes in which a helmet would have helped prevent serious injuries.
The city’s ordinance includes not only bicycles, but also in-line skates, roller skates, scooters, unicycles and skateboards.
Violating the ordinance could result in a fine up to $50.
