In another change in policy, the Dallas Police Department has begun enforcing the bicycle helmet ordinance again. The Dallas law is unusual in that it requires helmets on all riders, children and adults alike.
In a recent criminal case, in which the helmet law was the basis of a stop and search, the law was declared unconstitutional. Now, pending an appeal, the police have decided to begin enforcement again after not doing so for several months.
I’m not really taking a position on the law itself. I just want Dallas riders to know they should wear helmets or risk being stopped by the police. Dallas is a very unfriendly city for bicycle riders, with few dedicated bike paths. As long as riders must share the roads with cars and trucks, it’s obviously safer to wear helmets. And of course I do think that kids should always wear helmets when they ride.
