Helmet Safety

In early 2000 the Creve Coeur City Council enacted an ordinance that requires bicyclists, skateboarders, and in-line skaters of all ages to wear a protective helmet. The first municipality in Missouri, Creve Coeur joined the 16 states and more than 50 localities to adopt such an ordinance.

With strong representation from the education and medical communities, the Creve Coeur Ad-Hoc Committee on Helmet Safety concluded that a public awareness campaign backed by ordinance would be needed for a high level of compliance to be attained. “This ordinance, along with the community education campaign, will have a profound impact on both the number of brain injuries and the severity of head trauma from bicycling accidents,” stated Dr. Bob Hoffman, Chairman.

The city conducted a public awareness campaign between March and September, when enforcement began. Police officers have the discretion to issue warnings, but they will also have the authority to issue the violator a ticket. In an effort to keep the helmet program on a positive note, violators will be able to have the ticket voided if they bring proof of purchase and the new helmet to the police station within five days. If a violator fails to do this, s/he will be required to pay the summons just like it was a traffic ticket.

According to Lt. Spoerry, the police department is far more interested in promoting safety than it is in promoting the enforcement aspect of this ordinance. He said, “It is our hope that the community embraces the idea of helmet safety so that we don’t have to worry about enforcement. But more importantly, that we never have to put another child in an ambulance because of a head injury suffered while riding a bike. "

Police officers have the authority to issue a citation to anyone not wearing a safety helmet while operating a bicycle, roller blades, roller skates or a skateboard. Discounted bike helmets are available at several locations in Creve Coeur: Mid-County Orthopedic, 621 S. New Ballas, 569-6499; Sports & Orthopedic Center, 1020 N. Mason, 996-3029; SSM, 447 Lindbergh, 951-5910. Please call to arrange pickup of helmet.