To Wear or Not to Wear: Bicycle Helmet Laws in Florida
I saw many cyclists over the age of 16, but only saw two wearing helmets. But these guys looked like Lance Armstrong wanna-bes: expensive road bikes, form-fitting outfits, heart rate monitors... the works. Under Florida law, they are not required to wear helmets.
I kept driving until I saw about 30 children under age 16. Roughly 1/4 of them were wearing helmets. What does this mean for them or their parents if the police shows up with tickets in hand?
Florida Statute 316.2065 prescribes: "A bicycle rider or passenger who violates this [statute] may be issued a citation by a law enforcement officer and assessed a fine..." There IS room for forgiveness, however! The statute further states, "The court shall dismiss the charge...upon proof of purchase of a bicycle helmet that complies with this subsection."
If drivers are required to buckle their seatbelts, I think all bicyclists should be required to wear a helmet. After all, if I am hit by a careless, reckless, or negligent driver, I am sure that I would be more exposed to injury if I was a cyclist, than if I was in my crash-tested, airbag-equipped car. Don't you?
