Kids Riding Bikes Without Helmets Could Face $50 Fines in N. Hempstead

The Town of North Hempstead is reminding its residents, especially those under 14 years of age, to always wear a helmet while riding a bicycle...or they might get fined.

“We have a very active population here in North Hempstead, and many of our residents enjoy bike riding,” Councilwoman Anna Kaplan said in a press release. “However, recently I couldn’t help but notice the startling number of cyclists, especially children, who were not wearing helmets.

It is required by New York State law for anyone under 14 years of age to wear a helmet while bicycling or riding as passengers on bicycles. Any offenders could get fined up to $50.

Read more about the NYS bicycle safety laws here.

The Town has implemented a new public safety campaign to encourage bicyclists to wear helmets. The safety campaign will include a public service announcement on North Hempstead TV.

Watch the bike helmet PSA here:

Why should you wear a helmet? For one, helmets could save your life.

• Wearing a helmet protects riders and reduces the risk of serious brain injuries by up to 88 percent, the Town says.
• About 4 New York State residents are killed in bicycle crashes each year and about 2,000 residents are hospitalized due to bicycle-related injuries, the Town says.
• Next to motor-vehicle injuries, bicycles injure more children than any other consumer product, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.

Parents should talk to their kids about practicing safe riding.

The best way to encourage helmet usage is for parents to wear helmets themselves, says Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “Studies show that kids are more likely to wear helmets when riding a bike with older people who are also wearing helmets."

Images via TONH: Supervisor Bosworth, Town Clerk Wayne Wink, and Council Member Kaplan with Riley Corcoran-Galante and her bike