Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 22/01) - Town council may make helmets mandatory for cyclists, skateboarders and scooter riders.
The move follows a presentation to council June 11 by Patti Murphy, injury prevention and initiatives co-ordinator for the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Board.
"Scientific evidence has clearly indicated that bike helmets will reduce injury," Murphy said.
"They reduce the risk of suffering from facial and mid-facial injuries by 65 per cent, and for head injuries by 88 per cent."
Murphy told council that most young people here aren't wearing helmets despite an educational campaign.
"We need bylaws to enforce their use."
Murphy said she could perhaps acquire funds to help with such an initiative, if council reacted favourably to the idea of a bylaw.
"We could have a bicycle helmet giveaway and safety program."
Murphy said she would be happy to see everyone having to wear helmets, but that her main concern was for those under 16.
Discussion arose over how difficult such a bylaw might be to enforce. Murphy suggested that bringing back the positive rewards program, which has run the past two summers, might help.
"For any kid that we did see with a helmet on, or protective gear for skateboarding or the scooters, whatever, they got a little reward," Murphy said.
Coun. George Doolittle approved.
"I kind of like the idea of positive reinforcement along with negative reinforcement," Doolittle said.
Council is to study similar bylaws in other communities before drafting one for here.
