[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Charter Township
of Cascade as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 1-16-1997 by Ord. No. 3-1997 (Part 34 of the 1991
Compilation of Ordinances)]
The Charter Township of Cascade hereby finds and declares that:
A.Â
Injuries sustained in bicycling accidents are a threat to the public
health and safety of the citizens of Cascade Charter Township, and
the prevention of such injuries is a goal of our community; and
B.Â
Head injuries can result from bicycling accidents; and
C.Â
The risk of head injury from bicycling accidents is significantly
reduced for bicyclists who wear proper protective bicycle helmets.
As used in this article, the following terms have the following
meanings, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
A person who travels on a bicycle seated on a saddle seat
from which that person is intended to and can pedal the bicycle.
Any person who travels on a bicycle in any manner except
as an operator.
A piece of headgear which meets or exceeds that impact standards
for protective bicycle helmets set by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation, or which is otherwise
approved by the Township.
A right-of-way or easement under the jurisdiction of the
state, county or Township for the use primarily by bicycles and pedestrians.
A.Â
No person aged 14 years or under shall operate or be a passenger
on a bicycle on a public roadway, sidewalk, or public bicycle path
unless at all times when the person is so engaged he or she wears
a protective bicycle helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the
head with the straps of the helmet.
B.Â
No person shall rent or lease, a bicycle for the use of another person
aged 14 years or under unless that other person is in possession of
a protective bicycle helmet of good fit at the time of such rental
or lease.
A.Â
A person who violates a requirement of § 227-3 prior to January 1, 1998, shall be warned of the violation but no written notice will be issued to his or her parents or legal guardian.
B.Â
Any Deputy Sheriff or designated Township employee observing a person
operating or being a passenger upon a bicycle without wearing a protective
bicycle helmet and reasonably believing the person to be aged 14 years
or under may stop this person for purposes of establishing his or
her identity. Once identity is established, the person is free to
go about his or her intended activities.
C.Â
If the person is aged 14 years or under and is operating or is a
passenger upon a bicycle without wearing a protective bicycle helmet,
the Deputy Sheriff or designated Township employee must report the
person's name to the Township Manager. The Township Manager will
then write a notice to the person's parents or legal guardian
informing them that their child was stopped by Cascade Charter Township
because they were operating or were a passenger upon a bicycle without
wearing a protective bicycle helmet. The notice will include information
which advocates the use of bicycle helmets as a means to reduce closed
head injuries.
