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Tuesday, February 26, 2008
By Jeffrey Mize, Columbian staff writer

Beginning in 30 days, all cyclists and skaters in Vancouver will have to strap on helmets or risk receiving a $50 ticket.

The city council, by a 5-1 vote Monday, decided to require both juveniles and adults to wear helmets when riding bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, scooters and unicycles on public streets, sidewalks and trails.

Once the law takes effect, Vancouver will become the first city in Clark County to require helmets.

Safety was the prime reason for the law.

Councilwoman Jeanne Harris recounted how, more than 25 years ago, a bicyclist wearing a helmet smacked into her car and walked away.

“I can’t tell you how it affected me that I could have hurt somebody,” Harris said. “You can’t plan not to have an accident, and that is what’s this is about.

“I don’t know if it will help,” she said, referring to the helmet law. “But I know it can’t hurt.”

Councilwoman Pat Jollota said she has toured a brain-injury unit and seen people suffering from debilitating injuries that end up costing society for their long-term care.

“It’s not you that you have to worry about,” she said. “It’s everyone else who has to worry about you.”

Councilman Pat Campbell cast the sole dissenting vote.

“I think this is a totally unnecessary ordinance,” he said. “What we have now is working.”

“I don’t want to live in a society where we are hogtied and we can be pulled over by the police and have bad interactions with the police for nothing,” he said.

Council members heard from one citizen who favored the law and three who voiced reservations.

James O’Horo of Vancouver said Vancouver has a bicycle fatality rate that is five times higher than the national average.

“Sounds like a problem to me,” he said.

O’Horo said opponents of helmet laws often argue that any cyclist hit by a car will be killed, regardless of helmet use.

“I can tell you by personal experience that that’s not true,” he said. “I have been hit twice. Here I am. Must be a ghost.”

Chris Jochum of Vancouver said she often, but not always, wears a helmet when riding.
“I do think making it a crime not to wear a helmet is the wrong way to go and a poor use of our police force and our tax dollars,” she said.

James Bloom told the council that his brother suffered severe head injuries, even though he was wearing a helmet, when his bicycle was hit by a car.

“We don’t need another law for the sake of making another law,” he said.

“In a vehicle-bicycle accident, the vehicle always wins,” he added. “Bicyclists, watch out.”

Vancouver police will be responsible for enforcing the new law as part of their regular duties. Police are expected to use considerable discretion in deciding when to issue citations and when to provide warnings.

The law also contains language allowing courts to reduce, waive or suspend the penalty if the violator provides proof of acquiring a helmet.

For children 11 and younger, citations would be issued to a parent, guardian or adult with custody. For those 12 to 15 years old, citations could be issued to the juvenile or to a parent or guardian.

The city has budgeted $5,000 this year for education and to provide helmets to low-income children.

Mayor Royce Pollard said the city will do all it can to make sure that low-income children who can’t afford helmets receive them.