SR 05:265 - Laserfiche WebLink

fastened helmet that meets specified standards. The Police Department recommends that the PMC similarly expressly require that all persons, not just those under the age of 18 years, who ride bicycles at the BMX park wear bicycle helmets. The Police Department also recommends that the PMC require that the helmets be properly fitted and fastened and meet the standards specified in the California Vehicle Code. The ordinance proposed addresses the Police Department's concerns by providing that it is unlawful for a person to ride a bicycle in the BMX park unless the person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened helmet that meets the standards specified in section 21212(a) of the California Vehicle Code. Requirement to Wear Helmets at the Skateboard Park and In-line Skate Park The PMC currently requires that helmets and other safety gear be worn in the City's skateboard park at the Sports Park. The ordinance proposed extends this requirement to the in-line skate facility within the Val Vista Community Park. The ordinance proposed also requires that the helmets be properly fitted and fastened and meet set standards (the same helmet standards in California Vehicle Code section 21212 that are being proposed for bicycle helmets). Deletion of Reference to "Mountain Bike" The terms "bicycle" and "mountain bike" are used in PMC Section 13.08.200.4 There are no other references to "mountain bikes" in the PMC. A mountain bike, as defined by Merriam- Webster OnLine, is an all-terrain bicycle. The ordinance proposed deletes the term "mountain bike" because by definition the term "bicycle" already encompasses "mountain bike". Url!encv Ordinance The Police Department and City Attorney's Office recommend that the ordinance proposed be adopted as an urgency measure in order to provide the Police Department with express authority to immediately enforce the helmet rule to protect the safety of the participants at the skateboard park, in-line skate park and BMX park. FISCAL IMP ACT There is no direct fiscal impact with the adoption of this ordinance. The incidental costs of enforcing this ordinance will, in part, be offset by any revenue collected from fines imposed for violations. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt, as an urgency ordinance, the attached ordinance that amends Chapter 13.08 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code to prohibit persons from riding bicycles, skateboards and non-motorized scooters, and from using in-line skates, in designated City's parks and recreation facilities unless they are wearing properly fitted and fastened helmets that meet standards provided in the California Vehicle Code. 4 See first complete paragraph on page 2 of this report. SR 05:265 Page 3 of2