Originally Posted by
I-Like-To-Bike
What "government" has this helmet ordinance in place that restricts your freedom, and what does the helmet ordinance require? Reference?
And here is the ordinance:
ORDINANCE OF'THE MAYOR
AND BOARD OF'ALDERMEN OX'
THE CITY
OF RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI TO REQUIRE ALL PERSONS
TO WEAR PROTECTIVE HELMETS
\ryHEN RIDING A BICYCLE,
EITHER
AS AN OPERATOR OR A PASSENGER
V/HEREAS, the
Mayor and BoaĦd of Aldermen of the City of Ridgeland are
charged
with the obligation to protect and preserve public health, safety, and welfare;
ffid,
WHEREAS,
research has determined that two-thirds (2/3) of the deaths from
bicycle/vehicle
crashes are from traumatic brain injury; and,
WHEREAS,
one in eight cyclist with reported injuries had a brain injury; and,
WHEREAS,
an estimated 45o/o to 88% of cyclist brain injuries can be prevented
by
a helmet; and,
WHEREAS,
the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ridgeland,
Mississippi find
that it would be in the best interest of its citizens that all operators and
passengers
of bicycles within the-public areas of the City of Ridgeland should wear
protective
helmets as a means to protect and preserve the public health, safety and
welfaĦe
of its citizens and visitors.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen
of
the City of Ridgeland, Mississippi as follows, to-wit:
Section
l.
It
shall be unlawful for any person to operate, ride, or be a passenger upon a
bicycle on
any highway, street, road, sidewalk, bikeway, trial, or other public property,
unless
that person wears a protective helmet that is properly fitted and fastened. This
requirement shall apply
to a passenger who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining
seat
which is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.