Cyclists 18 or over need no longer wear bicycle helmets.

On Wednesday, June 11, Dallas City Council voted to repeal parts of a law that required cyclists, regardless of age, to wear a bicycle helmet. Beginning in early spring, council members have considered making this change in hopes of encouraging more of the public to take part in bicycling.

There was much disagreement amongst the council members. Phillip Kingston sought total abolishment of the helmet law; whereas Vonceil Jones Hill urged that the law be kept as is. Even Mayor Mike Rawlings agreed that the law was too restricting for his taste. 

The original ruling passed in 1996 to improve bicyclist safety. Eighteen years later, City Council loosened the laws to the extent that only people 17 years and younger are required to wear helmets. However, members still wish to emphasize that everyone, despite age, should take safety precautions.

Throughout its history, the law has maintained its focus on the safety of public youth. In their hopes to preserve the law prior to its changes last week, child-safety groups argued that the helmet regulations do indeed prevent injuries. On the other hand, avid cyclists claim that the original rulings failed to enforce the helmet requirements.  

A recent study done by the Dallas Morning News shows that enforcement of the law is lacking in areas with hordes of cyclists such as in and around White Rock Lake and the Katy Trail. Instead, law enforcement has shifted its focus to minority groups.

In addition, the loosening of the helmet law aims to encourage a bike rental program that is reported to launch in Fair Park this summer. Users of the possible program probably would not carry a helmet with them. As a result, vendors may set up shop to rent helmets. However, some say that there exist health concerns in sharing a sweaty helmet with that of the previous user. The details have yet to be smoothed out as the project is still in its planning stages. 

Although the law has gone into effect immediately after the ruling, there are still some issues left unresolved. Many are asking how police will distinguish between kids ages 17 and 18 when enforcing the new law. 

In addition to the age change, Dallas City Council changed some other provisions in the law, now allowing cyclists to bring their bicycles inside public buildings. 

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20140611-bicycle-helmet-rules-are-loosened.ece