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By Dawson Thompson

protection

Prince Albert to pressure province on mandatory bike helmets

Jun 24, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Prince Albert city council wants the province to legislate the mandatory wearing of helmets for cyclists rather than the city come up with its own stricter bylaw.

The idea had the support of all but one of the councilors at this week’s executive meeting.

Mayor Greg Dionne wants Regina to take the lead.

“You can’t be stand-alone with a mandatory bike helmet. We’re a big tourist city. When people arrive here, they won’t have helmets on, it’s going to be an enforcement nightmare,” Dionne told paNOW.

“I’m really going to encourage the province to start at 18 [years of age] and under. I believe adults still have to make their own decisions, but if you start at 18, then pretty soon everyone is wearing a helmet.”

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Dionne said the group of 16 mayors will be meeting in the summer and he would be sending a report asking that mandatory bike helmets be a part of that discussion.

The current law in Prince Albert only requires residents to wear a helmet while operating an electric bike.

P.A. Police Chief Jonathan Bergen would like to see more people wearing helmets.

“Ultimately, we are concerned as it relates to safe riding. Changes in bylaw that will protect riders are going to be beneficial to the community,” Bergen said.“We know that wearing a helmet will keep the rider safer if there is an accident. It is something that will protect the rider. Helmets work. If people are wearing them it will protect them more than if a helmet should not be worn.”

Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick said at the meeting that he is disappointed there is not a law regarding mandatory bike helmets in Prince Albert.

“Just because the province doesn’t have a law making it mandatory, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t either,” Ogrodnick said. “I felt we should have made it mandatory.” Ogrodnick brought forward the idea in late 2019 as a way of improving safety as well as a strategy to help combat crime.

The use of bicycle helmets is mandatory in B.C., New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, P.E.I. and Nova Scotia. In Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, the use of helmets is mandatory only for cyclists under the age of 18.

The province of Saskatchewan is the only province that does not have mandatory helmet laws.

SGI states on their website: Always wear a helmet: You should wear a properly fitted helmet to prevent head injuries. It helps protect your brain from absorbing the force of an impact and decreases your risk of a serious head injury by up to 85%. If every cyclist wore a helmet, 4 out of 5 head injuries could be prevented.

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Dawson.thompson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @dawsonthompson8