Helmet Law

The following article appeared in the September 8th Vernonia Independent.

When I started as Police Chief in May of this year I was amazed by the number of kids that were wearing
helmets and safety equipment while riding their bicycles, skateboards, and scooters. The compliance with the
state statute and the city ordinance was very refreshing. Since that time I have noticed a decline in helmet use
and an increase in the number of bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and in-line skates riding on the sidewalks. I
know the increase in traffic on the sidewalks corresponded to the construction on Hwy 47 in the downtown area
so enforcement was tempered until the construction ended.

Now that the construction has ended we need to revisit the statutes and ordinances as well as increase
compliance with the laws. ORS 814.485 & 814.600 says anyone under 16yrs old must wear protective headgear
when riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards, in-line skates, and etc. Vernonia City Ordinance 745 Sections
27,28,31 state that no bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, bicycles, etc. should be operated on
sidewalks adjacent to Bridge Street between Weed & California, Madison Ave between Bridge & Maple, and
Jefferson Ave between Bridge & Maple. This ordinance is directly related to the high amount of pedestrian traffic
going to and from businesses and the higher possibility of accident and injuries to both riders and pedestrians.
Parents, kids, and drivers need to be aware of the presence of bicycle & skateboard traffic and be willing to
share the limited road space. A bicycle lane would be great but is unlikely due to the width of Bridge St. in the
downtown area. Hopefully soon the skateboard park will be a reality and Vernonia will have a safe place for kids
to ride.