Officials from the Azusa Unified School District, the City of Azusa, the Azusa Ministerial Association, business owners, community volunteers and I are looking for ways to make the streets safer for children on human powered or motorized bicycles, skateboards, skates, or scooters.
The effort comes after James Hodges, an 8-year-old boy, was hit by a car in late April 2010. James was hospitalized in critical condition. Martin Solorio, 11, was hit by a car on September 3, 2008, as he rode his bicycle on his way home after having attended his first day at Foothill Middle School. Martin died as a result of his injuries. In both cases, the children were not wearing helmets.
Incidents such as these demands a wake-up call for parents and their children who ride the type of equipment enumerated above, and also for officials to come up with prevention solutions.
Just handing out helmets is not enough. I think it's more about behavior changes and teaching parents and kids about why they should leave that helmet on and not take it off while riding a bicycle.
City officials, police, and School District officials met with parents and other community members on Wednesday, May 12 at the Azusa Police Department for a Bicycle Safety Committee meeting. The intent of the meeting was to brainstorm about education, awareness, laws and enforcement.
California law requires children who ride bicycles to wear helmets. Section 21212(a) of the California Vehicle Code requires that persons under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a non-motorized scooter, or a skateboard, nor shall they wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a bicycle, a non-motorized scooter, or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. If they are caught without one, the first offense is a warning. Any subsequent offense can result in a fine of $25.
Using fines may be necessary in order to convince children and their parents to obey the law, Rocha said. It will be cheaper to pay a fine than buy a coffin. We, as officials, are not trying to be punitive but we are trying to safeguard our youth.
The two incidents have captured the interest of parents, who are becoming increasingly involved in the Bicycle Safety Committee. The Azusa Police Department also plans to coordinate assemblies at district schools to speak on the importance of bicycle safety.
The Bicycle Safety Committee is scheduled to meet regularly to develop awareness of the problem and potential consequences of not wearing a helmet, to educate children and their parents to obey the law, and to develop enforcement mechanisms. The Committee’s goal is to prevent serious head injuries and save the lives of our children.
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