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15 bicycle crashes, each with a motor vehicle, included one fatality and 4 injuries. <br />Any type of helmet would not have prevented the death of the cyclist in the listed <br />fatality crash. <br />I agree that wearing helmets while cycling is a great prevention activity for <br />reducing injuries. I also support helmet wearing for those riding motorcycles. <br />The issue I see with a helmet ordinance is the reality of enforcement of such a <br />law. Officers issuing adults citations for not wearing a helmet will result in the <br />same 'intrusion of government' claims from some, just as it has with motorcycle <br />helmets. My main issue is with enforcement of an ordinance with children? I <br />have seen where the introduction of young people into the criminal justice <br />system results in a propensity for them to remain in the system from then on. <br />Law enforcement can only take enforcement action with children age 10 cr- older. <br />Those that are not wearing helmets, younger than 10, would have to be gathered <br />up and taken to a parent or guardian. <br />These enforcement activities will take up time and ultimately our resource� t,�at <br />would be better applied towards reducing criminal activities. <br />I fully realize that our citizen's safety is one of our essential activities, but I would <br />rather see an enticement program regarding this issue instead of a�unitiv� <br />program. <br />A public education campaign, free helmets or even some type of reward syr±em <br />for those cyclists officers 'catch' riding with a helmet would better «rve t`� � <br />community in the long run. I've heard of these programs and would like to <br />explore these possibilities instead of another law that would be problematic in <br />enforcement. I think a'reward' in hand will result in more helmet u�e ins' �ad of <br />a potential penalty if caught without one. <br />6� <br />