HF 3503

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring bicycle operators and passengers under the
age of 18 to wear helmets; updating standard for helmets worn by operators of
motorized bicycles and electric-assisted bicycles; amending Minnesota Statutes
2004, sections 169.222, by adding a subdivision; 169.223, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.222, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Bicycle helmet requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) No person under the age of 18 shall
operate or ride a bicycle on a street, highway, bikeway, or any other public bicycle path or
trail, without wearing properly fitted and fastened protective headgear that complies with
the standard established for helmets used in recreational bicycling, ASTM F1447-02 and
subsequent updates or amendments to that standard, approved by the American National
Standards Institute. This requirement applies to a person riding a bicycle in a restraining
seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person who is 15 years of age or older and who violates paragraph (a) is
subject to a fine of $25. The parent or legal guardian of a person who is under 15 years of
age and who violates paragraph (a) is subject to a fine of $25. The Department of Public
Safety shall not record a violation of this subdivision on a person's driving record.
new text end

new text begin (c) Fines collected for a violation of paragraph (a) must be deposited in the state
treasury and appropriated to the commissioner of public safety for the expenses of bicycle
safety education programs conducted by State Patrol troopers.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.223, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Safety equipment; parking.

Except as otherwise provided in this
section, section 169.974 relating to motorcycles is applicable to motorized bicycles,
except that:

(1) protective headgear includes headgear that meets the deleted text begin American National deleted text end new text begin new text end standard
for deleted text begin Protective Headgear for Bicyclists, ANSI Z90.4-1984 deleted text end new text begin helmets used in recreational
bicycling, ASTM F1447-02 and subsequent updates or amendments to that standard new text end ,
approved by the American National Standards Institute, Inc.;

(2) a motorized bicycle equipped with a headlight and taillight meeting the
requirements of lighting for motorcycles may be operated during nighttime hours;

(3) except as provided in clause (5), protective headgear is not required for operators
18 years of age or older;

(4) the provisions of section 169.222 governing the parking of bicycles apply to
motorized bicycles;

(5) the operator of an electric-assisted bicycle must wear properly fitted and
fastened headgear that meets the deleted text begin American National Standard for Protective Headgear for
Bicyclists, ANSI Z90.4-1984, approved by the American National Standards Institute,
Inc. deleted text end new text begin standard listed in clause (1) new text end , when operating the electric-assisted bicycle on a street or
highway; and

(6) eye protection devices are not required for operators of electric-assisted bicycles.