Fewer bike helmet tickets issued
Bike riders getting the helmet message, say police
Charlottetown police handed out a lot fewer tickets this summer to cyclists who were caught not wearing a helmet.
Last year, about 100 people were ticketed. This summer, police only issued 55. Deputy Police Chief Richard Collins believes cyclists are getting the message.
"There could be a number of factors as to why the total charges are down, but the short answer to the question is that we feel that the compliance is getting better," said Collins, adding that enforcement efforts remained the same.
"I would have to say we put the same amount of time into it as last year, overall."
Cyclists caught riding without a helmet face a fine of $175. Instead of paying the fine, people do have the option of going to an education session on bike helmet safety in the fall.