Maize Morse Tri Area Civic Assc.

NEW BICYCLE HELMET LAW

Per your request, please reference below info and links as follow-up to my brief mention during last night's Public Safety portion of the Northland Community Council meeting.   The Columbus juvenile helmet ordinance, legislated last year, goes into enforcement effective July 2009.

It requires all under the age of 18 while riding a bicycle, skateboard, skates/rollerblade, &/or scooter, etc. - within city of Columbus (on a street, sidewalk, trail, etc.) - to wear an approved helmet.   Details can be found within Columbus Title 21 TRAFFIC CODE, Chapter 2173 BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES, AND CHILDREN'S NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLES 2173.02 Rules for bicycles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and children's non-motorized vehicles.  

NEW LEGISLATION relevant synopsis

Columbus City Code

Ord 0950-2008 - Bicycles

Effective Dates: 8/13/08 & 7/14/09

Relevant Codes: CCC 2173.02, 2173.04

Bicycles to be ridden near right side of roadway

 

Ord 0950-2008 adds the following language to CCC 2173.04, which generally requires bicycles to be ridden "as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable". This portion of the ordinance was effective on 8/13/08.

2173.04(C)

The ordinance also creates the child bicycle helmet law, which is reprinted below. Note that Section (B)(1) creates culpability for a child not wearing a helmet, and section (B)(2) creates culpability for a parent, guardian or custodian who knowingly permits a child to ride a bicycle without a helmet. Violations of this section are an MM on the first offense, an M4 on the second offense within one year, and an M3 on the third offense within one year. Pursuant to the ordinance, the child bicycle helmet law cannot be enforced until 7/14/09. No person under the age of eighteen (18) shall operate a bicycle or children's non-motorized vehicle within the City without wearing a protective helmet on the person's head, with the chin strap fastened under the person's chin. Such helmet shall be fitted to the size of the operator's head and shall meet or exceed the standards set forth by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

2173.02 (B)(1)

No person the age of one (1) or older but under the age of eighteen (18) shall ride as a passenger on a bicycle or non-motorized vehicle equipped with a firmly attached passenger seat or astride a regular seat on a tandem bicycle, within the City without wearing a protective helmet on the person's head, with the chin strap fastened under the person's chin. Such helmet shall be fitted to the size of the operator's head and shall meet or exceed the standards set forth by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

This section does not require a person operating a bicycle to ride at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so. Conditions that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway include when necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, surface hazards, or if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do so, including if the lane is too narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

Child bicycle helmet law

(B)(2) No person, who is the parent, guardian, custodian, person having custody or control, or person in loco parentis of a child under eighteen (18) years of age shall authorize or knowingly permit such child to violate any provision of this division. C)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
C)(2) Whoever violates division (B)of this section shall be fined no more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
Please pass this along to NCC members, affiliates, and interested parties. Hope this helps all!  

David Roseman
Consider Biking, board member & officer
www.considerbiking.org

Consider Biking's mission is to get more people bicycling in Central Ohio. The vision of Consider Biking is that the joy of bicycling is experienced by all, and integrated into our environment.

 For additional bike helmet resource info, see recent article provided by Children's Hospital* http://www.columbusparent.com/live/content/issue/stories/2009/07/01/cpPedHealthSource.html

(*The stated views and statistics provided by Nationwide Children's Hospital and their affiliates do not necessarily reflect the opinion, position, or endorsement by Consider Biking.)