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Helmet law rejected in Alberta

Opponents of a contentious new bike bylaw got their wish in September when the city council in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada unanimously voted it down. Citing the strong and clear message they'd heard from citizens, council members voted 7-0 to defeat the proposed bylaw, which would have made helmets compulsory for adult cyclists and given the green light for cyclists to ride on most sidewalks in the city.

Opponents of the bylaw jammed a public meeting at city hall Aug 30. When the bylaw came up for second reading, Ald. Rajko Dodic opened debate by promptly urging his fellow council members to defeat it. Adults should be able to make the decision whether they will wear a helmet or not, he said. Afterward, Dodic acknowledged the issue is now dead as far as the present council is concerned.

According to Kim Siever of the Bikebridge Cycling Association, instead of implementing new helmet requirements for cyclists, the city should focus on better educating cyclists and drivers about the rules of the road.

Lethbridge Herald

Tue 14 Sep 2010