[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Town of Sykesville 7-10-1995 by Ord. No. 203; amended in its entirety 6-9-2003 by Ord. No. 236. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall hereinafter be referred to
as the "Helmet Safety Law."
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A light vehicle:
A protective helmet designed for bicycle, scooter, skates,
skateboard, and/or motorized scooter operators and that is approved
by the American National Standards Institute, or found by the Director
of the Department of Transportation to meet an equivalent standard.
A vehicle that:
[Amended 5-24-2004 by Ord. No. 245]
Has handlebars;
Is designed to be stood upon or sat upon, if
equipped with a seat, by the operator; and
Is propelled by a motor with a rating of 2.7
braking horsepower or less, or a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters
position displacement or less, if the motor is an internal combustion
engine.
A two-wheeled vehicle that:
A four-wheeled vehicle comprised of a narrow board with wheels
attached that:
Four-wheeled or multiple-inline-wheeled vehicle that is propelled
only by physical exertion (human power). This definition is intended
to include both roller skates and roller blades.
[Amended 3-26-2012 by Ord. No. 280]
Any person under the age of 17, while in the
Town limits of Sykesville, operating, riding, or using a bicycle,
scooter, skates, skateboard or motorized scooter on a public roadway,
bicycle path, linear parkway, Town park, or any right-of-way under
the jurisdiction and control of the Town shall wear a protective helmet
designed for public safety. Such a helmet shall meet or exceed the
standards set by the American National Standards Institute or the
Director of the Department of Transportation standards.
[Amended 5-24-2004 by Ord. No. 245]
Any person operating a bicycle or a motorized
scooter shall comply with all state, county, and municipal traffic
laws.
[Amended 5-24-2004 by Ord. No. 245]
It shall be the duty of the Sykesville Police
Department or any other agency or Code Enforcement Official designated
by the Mayor and Town Council to enforce the Helmet Safety Law and
its provisions. Enforcement may also include public education, including
talks to community groups and education flyers.
[Amended 5-24-2004 by Ord. No. 245; 9-27-2004 by Ord. No.
247]
A violation of the provisions of this chapter
shall constitute a municipal infraction. The penalties for such municipal
infraction shall be as follows:
A.Â
First offense: A warning by a written citation shall
be issued to any person found violating this chapter for the first
time.
D.Â
Fourth and subsequent offenses: A fourth and all subsequent violations shall constitute a Class C municipal infraction as provided in Chapter 1, Article I, Municipal Infractions. In addition, the bicycle, scooter, skates, skateboard and/or motorized scooter of any such repeat offender may be impounded until the fine is paid.
