Helmet rule advances in Valley council

A proposed ordinance to require helmet use for Spokane Valley bicyclists moved forward Tuesday night despite hesitation from three City Council members and opposition from the parents of a recent accident victim.

“I don’t believe that an ordinance is necessary,” said Staci Schlerf, whose 15-year-old daughter, Samantha, died May 12 after a car-bicycle accident the day before.

Schlerf, with her husband beside her, testified before the council that a helmet may or may not have saved her daughter’s life, but that education on bicycle safety is more influential than a law could be.

“I firmly believe that it’s more important that people understand the severity of this and make those choices for themselves,” she said. “I don’t feel that it is the right of our government to decide whether I wear a helmet or not.”

After an evenly matched debate, a majority of the City Council voted to keep the measure alive. It will have a second reading at a later meeting, during which a vote is possible. If passed into law, the ordinance would require a helmet on anyone riding a bicycle, skateboard, skates or nonmotorized scooter. Violators over 16 could be fined.

Schlerf was the only person to testify against the measure, but her testimony paralleled the concerns of Councilmen Steve Taylor and Mike DeVleming.

“Obviously, it is important to wear a bicycle helmet,” Taylor said, adding that his wife wouldn’t let him get on a bicycle without one. But, he said, helmet use is a matter of personal responsibility, and passing the ordinance could make people defiant.

“I don’t believe that it is the proper role of government, especially local government, to interfere in this manner,” he said.

Parents who aren’t motivated by the safety of their children would not be motivated by a helmet law, DeVleming said after the vote. And Councilman Mike Flanigan said he had problems with the law applying to adults.

Five people testified in support of the ordinance. Among them were representatives from the Spokane Regional Health District and the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

“Adults do need to set an example for our children to follow,” said Peggy Hodges, of the Spokane County Traffic Safety Commission. Four of the five people killed in Spokane County bike accidents between 1998 and 2002 were older than 20.

“I’m not saying that the Valley police will go out and hunt for bicycle helmets,” said Councilman Gary Schimmels. But the ordinance is needed, Schimmels said, simply to promote safe behavior.

“I feel they need it,” he said.

Mayor Diana Wilhite likened the ordinance to the state’s seat belt law – something she described as bothersome but worthwhile in light of the societal costs associated with severe injuries.

The city of Spokane passed a similar ordinance last year. Health department officials and police said the number of people wearing helmets in the city has increased since then.

“The compliance rate immediately went up substantially,” Spokane police Officer Kim Thomas told the Valley council.