If you watch your feet while trudging through the snowy sidewalks this winter, you might notice the bicycle tracks that travel on streets and sidewalks.

Bicycles are an easy method of transportation, and DeKalb is full of students on bikes zig-zagging their way between vehicles and pedestrians. Despite this, helmets are few and far between.

Helmets are designed to protect a cyclist in the event of an accident by trying to prevent massive trauma to the head. Helmets are recommended by law enforcement and health officials alike, but they are not required for bikers of any age.

Lt. Jim Kayes of the DeKalb Police Department personally thinks wearing a helmet is a good idea, but said requiring may infringe on the rights of the riders.

Proponents for either side, to mandate helmet-wear or to leave it as personal choice, have sturdy arguments. The rights of the person are a main issue, but the health of the rider is a bigger concern. But, with the enacting of any law, enforcement of the law comes into play.

Police departments do not have the patience or manpower to catch and ticket each rider for not wearing a helmet. Determining who is responsible for children wearing helmets is also a difficult matter.

“Who do we ticket; kids or parents?” Kayes asked, since children can only wear helmets if their parents purchase them.

First Ward Alderman, Andy Small, knew of no law or ordinance in DeKalb requiring helmets.The idea of making a city ordinance requiring helmets for bicyclists has never been brought to the attention of the city council, Small said.

He was also unsure if there were any laws elsewhere that would set a precedence for this type of legislation. Without known precedence, the community would have a difficult time enacting an ordinance of this manner. Only seat belts, a formerly optional safety feature now required by law, may provide some sort of basis for this type of argument.

Margo Ely, city attorney for DeKalb, said she would research the possibility of a helmet law for DeKalb if asked by the majority of the city council. Ely said the council would most likely be able to create an ordinance requiring helmet wear, as long as it did not infringe on the state vehicle code.

Regardless if a law emerges or not, Ely, Kayes and Small agree that helmets are always a good idea. Star Poll