Most people are aware of the huge crackdown in the HRM in regards to helmets. There are lots of reports of fines and even abuse at the hands of overzealous officers. I have no idea if there is any truth to any of that. We all have ran into a jerk cop in our life, but in my experience the vast majority are pretty down to earth people. I was riding a park in Wolfville the other night to stretch out an injured ankle. I was just pedaling around and did not bring my helmet. A couple police officers dropped by and told me I should have one and that and the fine is $138 for not wearing one (in a park OR around town). The two officers I mentioned seemed friendly enough so I decided to ask them some questions about the recent crackdown. It seems as though the police forces in Nova Scotia are being pressured to to start enforcing these laws much more than they have in the past. The officers I spoke with described trying to enforce this as “a nightmare for us”. It seems they dont wan’t to have to enforce it anymore than we want to get ticketed. They did not actually give me a ticket, and at this point seem more apt to give out warnings in hope that the message gets accross. But they will have to give tickets soon (apparently this is happening daily at the commons park). I generally wear a helmet, so it’s not really a big deal for me to just throw one on everytime now. I do however, know of a lot of skateboarders and riders who hate them.
To compound the issue further I have noticed in various places online that huge arguments have broken out between mostly older riders and younger riders. The older guys tend to believe the younger are stupid for not wearing them. I am somewhat in between the common riding age groups and get to see both perspectives. The problem I see is not one of kids following trends. As long as bmx riding has been existance wearing helmets has never been a common sight. Some riders can’t afford them, some just don’t like them. I do know one thing that most bmx riders and skateboarders hate though; people telling them what they can or can’t do. Most people I have met partake in these sports because its a way to experience freedom that you just cannot get anywhere else. I see a ton of resistance to personal attacks on helmetless riders. And the bottom line is that no matter how much you tell someone they should do something, they never will - simply because they don’t want to hear what you have to say. Period. If you want to help, leave them alone and let them make their own decisions. I wear a helmet, but I am in no way going to force this on other riders or skateboarders. I am not a police officer and will not try to be one. They understand the consequences, and they understand the fine. Personally attacking people for their decision is just splitting the riding community needlessly for no gain whatsoever! And THAT is something I do not want to see happen.
So I guess the point my post is this. I’m not going to tell you what to do, but please be aware that there is a fine, and the police are being pressured to enforce these rules. Even if they don’t necessarily want to. If you don’t mind wearing helmets, maybe it will be worth it just to avoid the needless confrontation. If your someone who already wears one, don’t go pressuring other people, it acheives nothing at all. It simply splits riders into groups when we should be comming together. I’d love to see some comments on this. Particularly from those of you living in Cape Breton and other parts of the province. Is it the same? Not a big deal yet? You tell me.
