Swanton eyes bike helmet ordinance for village youths

5/11/2004

SWANTON - The coordinator of the Greater Toledo SAFE KIDS Coalition asked members of Swanton Village Council's safety committee last night to consider a mandatory bicycle helmet law for children in an effort to increase helmet use and decrease injuries and fatalities.

The committee took no action on the request that will be referred to council's committee of the whole for discussion.

Dr. David Grossman, Toledo-Lucas County health commissioner, said a mandatory law would reduce the number of children hurt while bicycling.

Lori Ferguson, coordinator of the Greater Toledo SAFE KIDS Coalition, told the council members the use of bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent.

When Mayor Tandy Grubbs asked about the impact of the law on families who can't afford helmets for their children, Mrs. Ferguson said the coalition would work with the village to find ways to provide helmets to such families.

So far, no communities in the area have passed mandatory helmet laws, said Dr. Grossman, who plans to meet with other elected officials, such as Oregon and Ottawa Hills, to ask them to consider helmet laws.