Protective requirements

Bicyclist Irl Burlison has a shiny new blue helmet – on his left knee.

“Do you know if it has to be on your head or just securely to you?” he asks, while on his bike at Riverfront Park.

Wednesday marked the first day Spokane’s helmet law went into effect, but not without controversy. The law requires bicyclists, skateboarders and in-line skaters, among others, to wear a helmet in public areas within city limits. Authorities, however, said the emphasis is on educating community members about the law, and they likely won’t start handing out the $25 fine to violators for another few months.

The Spokane City Council passed the law July 12, overriding Mayor Jim West’s veto. But Burlison doesn’t think it should be up to the government.

“I think it should be the Americans’ right to choose, especially if you’re over 18,” he said. “This is America, land of the free, right?”

He said it’s the responsibility of bicyclists to stay safe by watching out for other people.

“If you get hit, it’s because you’re not looking, you’re not paying attention,” he said.

Spokane Police Officer Kim Thomas said he’s not doling out tickets just yet. Instead, he’s talking to helmetless bicyclists and handing out yellow information cards. Most people are cooperative and say they’ll soon purchase a helmet, he said.

“We’re trying to focus on the educational part of things right now,” he said. “Next summer we may switch over to an enforcement mode.”

Shirley Donder said she agrees with the law.

“It’s good to have a helmet if you’re out there because of the serious injuries that could occur,” she said while watching her granddaughter ride the Carrousel at Riverfront Park.

Julie Graham, spokeswoman for Spokane Regional Health District, said that injuries caused by not wearing a helmet affect everyone.

Nonfatal bicycle injuries among Washington children ages 14 and younger cost $113 million each year, about $218,000 for each injured child, she said.

“Some people think this is a personal freedom issue, but most families could never absorb $218,000 worth of medical costs for a child,” she said.

“Those costs end up either causing a bankruptcy or they default on their payments, and those costs end up being pushed to taxpayers and cause higher insurance rates.”

Five children – four with traumatic brain injuries – died in Spokane County in the past five years, after being involved in bicycle crashes without helmets. Nationally, bicycle injuries linked to not wearing a helmet account for 540,000 emergency room visits each year, Graham said.

Rob Breidenbach, owner of Spoke N Sport, 212 N. Division, said his store has seen an increase in helmet sales the past few weeks and he expects an even bigger jump once school starts.

There’s a lot of talk from his customers about the helmet law, he said.

“Most people may grumble about it,” he said, “but everyone’s accepting it.”