Contact: | Sunny Mindel / Michael Anton | (212) 788-2958 |
Self-propelled scooters have become a popular fad for many New Yorkers, particularly children, many of whom enjoy riding scooters much as they enjoy riding bicycles. In an effort to increase the safety of young people that ride scooters, this legislation will require children under the age of fourteen to wear well-fitting and specifically-approved helmets when riding scooters.
Parents or guardians who are present when a police officer sees a child riding without a helmet may be issued a summons and may be required to pay a fine of up to $50. However, a hearing officer may grant a one-time waiver of the penalty to a parent or guardian who supplies proof that between the date that the summons was issued and the appearance date, he or she purchased or rented a helmet for the child. In addition, a hearing officer may grant a one-time waiver of the penalty if he or she finds that a parent or guardian was unable to obtain a helmet due to economic hardship.
The bill will also require the Department of Health to prepare informational materials on the dangers of riding a scooter without a helmet. These materials will be distributed through the Department's school health program, and will be available to the public upon request.
It is my hope that this legislation's educational campaign and helmet requirement provisions will encourage parents and children to take proper scooter-safety precautions.
For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.