GRAND RAPIDS -
One city leader is pushing for an ordinance that would require bike helmets in GR. It's only in the early stages, but could be a hot topic among cyclists.
The whole thing has been prompted by a recent string of deadly bike accidents in the city.
A 22-year old GVSU graduate wasn't wearing a helmet when he was hit and killed over the weekend by a car not far from the Van Andel Arena. Also in May, A 55-year old man on his bike was killed when he ran into a city dump truck on Bridge street
"When we've got real accidents and fatalities in the city i think it's something we have to talk about as a common concern," said City Commissioner David LaGrand who's behind the push.
In the summer months he's been seeing more and more people riding without helmets. He wants to do something to change that and make Grand Rapids a safer more bike friendly city. LaGrand wants to propose a city-wide helmet law. He had his own scare after a bike accident 20 years ago.
"This is something i would personally favor but it's my job to listen to what people want,"he said.
So what do cyclists in Grand Rapids want?
"I hate to be really ignorant but I think i'm just too cool to wear a helmet, "said Joe Pahman.
He bikes to and from work every day and says a helmet law is not something a lot of people would go for.
"Who is to say who should who shouldn't, it's up to the individual," he said.
Ross Hull is on the other side of the argument. He already swears by the gear after an accident involving his son several years ago.
"My son when he was 8 years-old, he was biking along and he hit a pot hole he fell down and cracked his helmet in half so he would have been really hurt if he wasn't wearing one," Hull said.
One idea is to enforce the law with tickets but allow cyclists to trade in their infraction for a free helmet. So far it's just talk, but some hope it turns into action.
I think most people want to obey the law and so if we point out this is a law can save a lot of lives i think people will want to comply," said LaGrand.
The whole thing has been prompted by a recent string of deadly bike accidents in the city.
A 22-year old GVSU graduate wasn't wearing a helmet when he was hit and killed over the weekend by a car not far from the Van Andel Arena. Also in May, A 55-year old man on his bike was killed when he ran into a city dump truck on Bridge street
"When we've got real accidents and fatalities in the city i think it's something we have to talk about as a common concern," said City Commissioner David LaGrand who's behind the push.
In the summer months he's been seeing more and more people riding without helmets. He wants to do something to change that and make Grand Rapids a safer more bike friendly city. LaGrand wants to propose a city-wide helmet law. He had his own scare after a bike accident 20 years ago.
"This is something i would personally favor but it's my job to listen to what people want,"he said.
So what do cyclists in Grand Rapids want?
"I hate to be really ignorant but I think i'm just too cool to wear a helmet, "said Joe Pahman.
He bikes to and from work every day and says a helmet law is not something a lot of people would go for.
"Who is to say who should who shouldn't, it's up to the individual," he said.
Ross Hull is on the other side of the argument. He already swears by the gear after an accident involving his son several years ago.
"My son when he was 8 years-old, he was biking along and he hit a pot hole he fell down and cracked his helmet in half so he would have been really hurt if he wasn't wearing one," Hull said.
One idea is to enforce the law with tickets but allow cyclists to trade in their infraction for a free helmet. So far it's just talk, but some hope it turns into action.
I think most people want to obey the law and so if we point out this is a law can save a lot of lives i think people will want to comply," said LaGrand.
