*** Going helmet-free might not be free ***

SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON -- 01/20/2004
Anyone who opts to ride a bicycle without wearing a helmet
could be in for a painful experience -- even if they don't crash.

The Sammamish Police Department has decided to begin
enforcing the county's law requiring bicyclists to wear helmets.

The department's new public-education campaign
is backed up with the threat of a $30 ticket.

``We don't want to cite, but it is the law,'' said
Sammamish police chief Richard Baranzini.

The law is in the King County health code, which
-- unlike the county's criminal code
-- is enforceable by police in King County cities.

Being caught without a helmet carries a civil penalty of $30.
In Sammamish, police have discretion over whether to issue
a warning or a notice of infraction.

The law has been on the books for a while, but the department
has decided to target bareheaded scofflaws in a new campaign.

Public safety is the primary reason, but the stops also offer police
the opportunity to check people's backgrounds. When he was
working patrol in Lake Forest Park in 1995, Baranzini caught
a man with a criminal warrant for firearms violations. Baranzini
had stopped the man for not wearing a bike helmet.

Baranzini said Sammamish police, who are King County sheriff's
deputies, will hand out informational brochures between now and
Labor Day to first-time offenders. Repeat offenders may be fined.
If the offenders are children, the law allows their parents to be fined.

After Labor Day, Sammamish police will assess
the campaign and choose where to go from there.

As part of the campaign, the police will put notices in the city
newsletter and Police Explorers will hold bike rodeos to
promote the law.

Eastside Fire & Rescue personnel will help with
finding helmets that fit properly, Baranzini said.

Here's how Eastside and South King County cities
enforce bicycle helmet laws:

Auburn
Police do not enforce the bike helmet law.
The city has not adopted the county's rule.

Bellevue
Police can cite helmetless bicyclists but the city prefers to
promote voluntary compliance through education. The police
department's bike unit teaches bicycle safety and distributes
helmets to children at bicycle rodeos.

Covington
Covington has adopted the county ordinance but leaves
it up to individual officers to decide case by case whether
to give a bicyclist a warning or issue a citation and $30 penalty.

Issaquah
Issaquah's ordinances do not permit police to write citations
for helmet violations. Police encourage helmet use at bike
rodeos and remind bare-headed bicyclists that they're violating
the King County health code.

Kirkland
Police do not enforce county helmet laws but bicycle officers
remind riders to wear helmets and conduct bicycle rodeos.
A limited number of free helmets is available at fire stations for
toddlers and adults. Part of the year, firefighters give coupons
for Subway delis to kids they see wearing helmets.

Kent
Kent has its own ordinance that carries an $81 penalty.
Bicycle officers typically warn first, then fine repeat offenders.
The police department conducts community education programs
in recreation centers and in grade schools, and makes helmets
available to the public at reduced cost.

Maple Valley
Maple Valley has a local ordinance requiring approved safety
helmets for bicyclists as well as anyone on skateboards, scooters
or skates. Officers decide on a case-by-case basis whether to
issue a citation for a $30 fine, which can be reduced or waived
by a judge if the offender obtains an approved helmet.

Redmond
It's up to each officer to decide whether to issue a notice of
infraction under the county ordinance. The city gives out helmets
at a reduced cost and fits them to recipients' heads.

Renton
The city has a bike helmet ordinance of its own; an infraction
carries a $25 penalty. Officers promote helmet use in schools
through the D.A.R.E. program.

King County
Sheriff's deputies enforce the health code,
which carries a penalty of $30.

Geneb...Wenatchee,Washington-USA
All Things Northwest in BMX!
***** Gene`s BMX *****
http://www.genesbmx.com