ACTION: Mandatory Helmet Law - oppose
HB 187 would extend current law requiring helmets for cyclists under age 16 to cyclists and motor scooter drivers of all ages. It also defines a mo-ped as being a bicycle. It looks like someone wanted to make sure the bicycle helmet law includes mopeds and motor scooters, and while at it they removed the “under 16” so it would apply to everyone. If passed, this would make Maryland the first state with a state-wide mandatory helmet law for adult cyclists. The Oxon Hill bike club requires helmets be worn on all club rides and club-sponsored events, but I don’t care to support a mandatory helmet law for adults (nor would I oppose one.) However, if one is passed, it should to amended to recognize that Maryland is a state with “contributory negligence” and have a provision like the seat belt law that says not wearing one cannot be evidence of contributory negligence. There remains no penalty, just “This section shall be enforced by the issuance of a warning that informs the offender of the requirements of this section and provides educational materials about [bicycle] PROTECTIVE helmet use.”- Jim Hudnall (Oxon Hill Bike Club)
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My opinion is that emphasizing safe crashing over and above all else is a complete and absolute failure. Helmets do not prevent crashes and looking at crashes we see that sidewalk riding and riding against traffic are significant part of cycling crashes. And what is the State doing about this? Building more sidewalk bike facilities that encourage wrong way riding on the sidewalk (up to 21 times the risk of an accident compared to on the road. And not only that, MDOT as a mater of policy will NOT fund AASHTO recommended on-road bike facilities but will fund sidewalk bike facilities that AASHTO discourages. And what are the Police doing about this? They are ticketing/warning cyclist that are legally riding in the road to ride on the sidewalk like they're supposed to [sic]. And to top it off cyclist still do not have a legal right of way in crosswalks so they are almost automatically at fault in any accident for riding where they were encouraged to ride.
We need to correct the above before even looking at mandatory helmet laws that have shown to only discourage bicycling. Or how about offering free helmets? I've got a source for less then $5 a helmet the State could be making a positive statement about alternative transportation over discouraging its use.
- THC
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HOUSE BILL 187 Synopsis:
Prohibiting a person from operating or riding as a passenger on a motor scooter unless the person is wearing protective headgear; expanding the requirement that bicycle operators or passengers wear certain protective headgear to apply to all persons; and clarifying that the defined term "bicycle" includes a moped.
<a href="http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb0187.htm">http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb0187.htm</a>;
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If you live in the bill sponsors district or one of the House Environmental Matters Subcommittee members districts (to find your district <a href="http://mdelect.net/">http://mdelect.net/</a>; ) write:
Re: HB 187 Vehicle Laws - Bicycles and Motor Scooters - Protective Headgear
Position [Oppose (per THC) | Support with amendment (per JH)]
[Your explanation]
[Your full name, address and phone#]
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Sponsors:
TANYA THORNTON SHEWELL
Republican, District 5A, Carroll County
e-mail: tanya.shewell@house.state.md.us
PAMELA G. BEIDLE
Democrat, District 32, Anne Arundel County
e-mail: pamela.beidle@house.state.md.us
C. SUE HECHT
Democrat, District 3A, Frederick County
e-mail: sue.hecht@house.state.md.us
HENRY B. (HANK) HELLER
Democrat, District 19, Montgomery County
e-mail: henry.heller@house.state.md.us
DOYLE L. NIEMANN
Democrat, District 47, Prince George's County
e-mail: doyle.niemann@house.state.md.us
B. DANIEL RILEY
Democrat, District 34A, Cecil County & Harford County
e-mail: daniel.riley@house.state.md.us
BARBARA A. ROBINSON
Democrat, District 40, Baltimore City
e-mail: barbara.robinson@house.state.md.us
FRANK S. TURNER
Democrat, District 13, Howard County
e-mail: frank.turner@house.state.md.us
KRISELDA VALDERRAMA
Democrat, District 26, Prince George's County
e-mail: kris.valderrama@house.state.md.us
MARY ROE WALKUP
Republican, District 36, Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties
e-mail: mary.roe.walkup@house.state.md.us
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Environmental Matters Committee: MOTOR VEHICLES & TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE:
MARVIN E. HOLMES, JR.
Democrat, District 23B, Prince George's County
e-mail: marvin.holmes@house.state.md.us
ELIZABETH BOBO
Democrat, District 12B, Howard County
e-mail: elizabeth.bobo@house.state.md.us
RUDOLPH C. CANE
Democrat, District 37A, Dorchester & Wicomico Counties
e-mail: rudolph.cane@house.state.md.us
BARBARA A. FRUSH
Democrat, District 21, Anne Arundel & Prince George's Counties
e-mail: barbara.frush@house.state.md.us
TOM HUCKER
Democrat, District 20, Montgomery County
e-mail: tom.hucker@house.state.md.us
JAMES E. MALONE, JR.
Democrat, District 12A, Baltimore County & Howard County
e-mail: james.malone@house.state.md.us
DOYLE L. NIEMANN
Democrat, District 47, Prince George's County
e-mail: doyle.niemann@house.state.md.us
ANTHONY J. O'DONNELL
Republican, District 29C, Calvert & St. Mary's Counties
e-mail: anthony.odonnell@house.state.md.us
RICHARD A. SOSSI
Republican, District 36, Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties
e-mail: richard.sossi@house.state.md.us
MICHAEL H. WEIR, JR.
Democrat, District 6, Baltimore County
e-mail: michael.weir@house.state.md.us
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