PWIC refers bike helmets, licensing to staff

Today, the PWIC committee has decided to refer the motions that would mandate helmets for all cyclists as well as the licensing of all cyclists to staff for 'reflection'. Councillors who supported the motion to refer opted that better information would be required before being able to move forward in this in any significant or constructive way.

While those who would support such measures see this as merely a way of delaying or deflecting the issue, others are happy to have the chance for a second sober thought.

Staff have reported at least five times on the issue of licensing, and have yet to come forward with a recommendation to move forward on it. The reasons cited can be found in their previous reports, but the 2005 report says enough. If, however, something significant has changed in the past four years, staff have the opportunity to bring that forward with their newest report.

Helmets are another matter, and the issue is much more contentious. People on both sides have strong views. For adults, the evidence is not very clear that a mandatory helmet law is worthwhile. Staff have now been asked to look at, and to consider the best evidence and the experiences out there and give their recommendation. I doubt that staff will be able to clearly guide the city to recommend mandatory helmet legislation. Besides, the city alone cannot impose this, it must be done with through the province. So city staff have to convince the council and the province that this is a very clear and worthwhile thing to do, and I don't think that they can.

More news will be coming on this...