Changes made to proposed helmet law

MOSES LAKE - A revised proposed ordinance requiring only bicyclists to wear helmets was met with mixed feelings by the Moses Lake City Council Tuesday evening.

The new proposal would require all ages to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in Moses Lake. The City Council still was not ready to vote on the ordinance, concerned about requiring helmets for all ages. Council members requested an additional draft after the March 26 meeting.

The original proposal included requiring helmets for anyone on bicycles, skateboards, roller blades and scooters.

The newest draft more closely related to the recommendations presented by the Grant County Health District, said City

Manager Joseph Gavinski.

George Pleitez, from Moses Lake, said he does not agree with the all-ages requirement.

"Who is it hurting if I decide to wear a helmet or not," he said. "I do understand the risks of head injuries but I believe it should be a choice of the individual involved."

Pleitez said he would support an age limit, a direction Mayor Bill Ecret said he is favoring.

"I think there are a number of youth, not all, that are not mature enough to make those types of decisions and those types of decisions should be made for them," Ecret said. Council member Brent Reese was also supportive of an age limit.

"I think there should be an age limit actually. I think when to get to be an adult, it should be more of a choice," he said. "If you have young kids, you should lead by example by wearing a helmet."

Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Ruffin said officers respond to about half a dozen calls each year for bicycle involved collisions and would support any decision made by the council. Council member Karen Liebrecht said she feels the city should not be involved in requiring helmets.

"I continue to believe that this is an issue that is an individual choice and not one that government should force upon citizens," she said. "I think that the best avenue is still education. I think we've come a long way in educating the public."

Council member Dick Deane said he hopes the council can hear more public input before a decision is made.