That means it would apply to juvenile skateboarders in public skate parks.

The city council will decide tonight whether to move ahead with a Jan. 28 public hearing on a helmet law for people 17 and younger.

The law, if approved, would allow police to issue citations carrying up to $50 civil fines. Police are expected to use considerable discretion, both in deciding whether to issue a citation and in setting any fine.

The city council has had two discussions on a helmet law. Although there was general agreement that Vancouver should have a law and that it should apply only to juveniles, council members might have reservations about other aspects of the proposed law.

"It's quite possible they are going to send us back to do some more work on this," said Jan Bader, Vancouver's program and policy development manager.

Under the city's proposed ordinance, citations would be issued to a child's parent, guardian or adult with custody if the child is 11 or younger. For those 12 to 15 years old, citations would be issued to either the juvenile or to a parent or guardian.

The proposed language does not address people who are 16 or 17, so they presumably would receive the citations themselves.

Unlike Oregon, Washington has no statewide law requiring children to strap on helmets when riding on public streets.

Most of Washington's biggest cities, including Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma, have local laws requiring all bicyclists to wear helmets. Other cities require only juveniles to wear helmets.

Bader said city officials decided to follow most of the recommendations made by the Clark County Youth Commission, including that a helmet law should apply to skateboarders, roller skaters and others, not just to cyclists.

Bader said she has kept County Administrator Bill Barron apprised of the city's progress in expectation the county also would adopt a helmet law.

Clark County tried to enact a helmet law more than 10 years ago. The law initially would have applied only to juveniles, but the proposal later was expanded to cover adults as well. Commissioners, however, tabled the proposal in April 1997 because Vancouver and other cities weren't willing to join them.

Oregon's helmet law has been in place since July 1994 and requires children 15 and younger to wear helmets when riding bicycles. Violators can face $25 fines.

If the Vancouver council approves the helmet law - on Jan. 28 or some other time - it would take effect 30 days later.

Vancouver City Council members are discussing making it mandatory for people on wheels - ages 17 and younger - to wear helmets.

Update

Previously: Members of the Vancouver City Council had two discussions last year on a bicycle helmet law, including a Nov. 28 presentation by the Clark County Youth Commission.

What's new: City officials have crafted a draft ordinance that would require people who are 17 and younger to wear helmets when riding bicycles, skateboards, roller skates and nonmotorized scooters on streets, sidewalks, parks and trails or face a maximum $50 fine.

What's next: The council will decide tonight if it wants to schedule a Jan. 28 public hearing, followed by possible adoption.

Jeffrey Mize covers Vancouver city government: jeff.mize@columbian.com or 360-735-4542.