Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Friday, February 2, 2001

Release # 039-01

 
Contact: Sunny Mindel / Michael Anton (212) 788-2958




MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS BILL REQUIRING CHILDREN UNDER FOURTEEN TO WEAR HELMETS WHILE RIDING SCOOTERS.

Remarks by Mayor Giuliani at Public Hearing on Local Laws


The final bill before me today is Introductory Number 818-A, sponsored by Speaker Vallone and Council Member Robles in conjunction with my Administration. This bill will require children under the age of fourteen to wear helmets while riding scooters.

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.

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