By Thia James

SUMA to lobby province for mandatory bike helmet law

Feb 5, 2015 | 5:50 AM

Delegates at this year’s Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Saskatoon voted in favour of lobbying the province for a mandatory bicycle helmet law.

The City of Prince Albert brought forward the resolution, with Coun. Martin Ring speaking on its behalf, on Tuesday. The resolution would see SUMA ask the province, SGI in particular, to enact a law that would require cyclists of all ages to wear a helmet.

Coun. Rick Orr, who was one of the delegates representing Prince Albert at the conference, said the resolution passed with just over 50 per cent support. A similar resolution has been passed by SUMA in the past.

Orr is a supporter of the resolution. “The case is that brain injury is the most common outcome of a bike accident. When I was a child, I fell off my bike and broke my arm in two places and realized how easy that can be. So I think that having helmets just makes common sense. It’s just like seatbelts in cars.”

A mandatory helmet law would add to the impact of the current educational programs, according to Jennie Knudsen, education and prevention co-ordinator for the Sask. North Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Team. She said the statistics show that nearly 90 per cent of the time, when a helmet is used, it will prevent serious injury or death.

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“So, [the] odds are in your favour if you’re wearing one,” she said. “But you’re obviously less likely to get a serious injury.”

The outreach team sees cycling accident survivors with brain injuries. The injuries can affect performing daily tasks or may mean they may have to seek support after living independently.

Knudsen said the injuries occur across all age groups, but they happen at the highest rate among people between the ages of 15 and 24.

But there were some questions raised by other delegates about the implementation of such a law.

Orr said one concern raised at the conference about a mandatory helmet law is that it will deter people from riding their bicycles.

“We heard that a little over half the room was in favour, but the others weren’t. That’s the way democracy is,” he said.

Another delegate raised concerns about the enforceability of such a law. Orr too feels enforcement will be an issue.

“The police are so busy now; they’d probably have trouble enforcing it. But the message is that if you wear your bike helmet, you’re a lot safer than if you don’t.”

Coun. Tim Scharkowski, who is also representing Prince Albert at the SUMA conference, weighed in as well. He is a supporter of the resolution.

He made note of the fact some cities have mandatory helmet bylaws and others, such as Prince Albert, do not. This can cause confusion for residents visiting different jurisdictions.

“I don’t think everybody’s going to be fined every time, and it’ll be an educational experience,” he said, with respect to a potential future provincial law.

Delegates also had a chance to meet with provincial government ministers later on Wednesday. As well, delegates had a chance to take part in the bear pit session, which allowed them an opportunity to ask Premier Brad Wall and members of his cabinet questions.

“I find it a very exciting time. You kind of get the tone and how people are feeling and it’s a good interface.”

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames