City looking into making bike helmets mandatory for everyone

WINNIPEG — Cyclists may soon be required to put on a helmet every time they get on their bike.

Councillor Russ Wyatt is asking for a study to be done by the city on bicycle helmets as well as proper lights and bells to improve safety.

“Just as you have to wear a seat belt when you’re driving your car and your car has to be functioning so should your bicycle, ” Wyatt said.

The current law in Manitoba only enforces that riders under 18 years old wear helmets.

Bike Winnipeg is against making helmets mandatory for everyone and said it will discourage people from cycling.

“In essence you’re trading fewer head injuries for more heart attacks, more kidney disease, for more diabetes,” Mark Cohoe said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "In essence you're trading fewer head injuries for more heart attacks, more kidney disease, for more diabetes," Mark Cohoe said.

The city’s protection and community services is asking that the city completes the study by September.