King County repeals bicycle helmet law, citing equity

The Associated Press ^ | February 18, 2022

[Oldeconomybuyer]

SEATTLE (AP) — The King County Board of Health has voted to repeal its decades-old mandatory helmet law for bicycle riders, saying data shows enforcement has been both minimal and disproportionate toward people of color and those experiencing homelessness.

The Seattle Times reports the board, made up of elected officials and medical experts from cities across the county, on Thursday voiced its support for the voluntary use of helmets, passing a resolution encouraging riders to don the protective gear.

But board member and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott said there are other ways of encouraging helmet use that do not rely on law enforcement, including educational campaigns and free helmet distribution.

The King County Council recently budgeted more than $200,000 to buy helmets and expand education programs.

[bert]

The BLM spokesperson was quoted as saying “we have hard heads an don need no helmet”

[PeterPrinciple]

But board member and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott said there are other ways of encouraging helmet use that do not rely on law enforcement, including educational campaigns and free helmet distribution.

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another option is just personal responsibility without govt, which has more important things to do. On the other hand, if they focus on this, they aren’t doing great damage in other places.

[BBQToadRibs2]

BWAAAAA AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!

Repeal safety laws, because “social justice”. LOL!

Let’s make heroine legal too, because arresting dealers and users disproportionately targets “vulnerable minorities”.

[shadowlands1960]

There is definitely a ‘Darwinian element’ to ‘wokism.’

[nascarnation]

[V_TWIN]

Nice to know Seattle has worked out all major issues plaguing the city and have gotten down to this

SMH

[FatherofFive]

Great news, but for the wrong reason. This opens a window to get rid of lots of annoying laws - minorities hit hardest.

I always wear a helmet and wrist guards when I rollerblade. But don't pass a law requiring it.

[Jay W]

“The King County Board of Health has “

These people are clinically insane.

[Skwor]

Next up, open carry passed in Seattle, it was found that the gun restrictions were impacting minorities disproportionally.

(ahh well, one can dream)

[cuban leaf]

I was a member of the Cascade bicycle club back when I lived in the Seattle area. I got into it with the president of the club about this law. I was as against it as I am against seat belt laws. By all means people should wear seat belts and should wear bicycle helmets, but making them arbitrary laws is just insulting to people who claim to be in a free nation. For the record, I feel the same way about motorcycle helmet laws. Interestingly, I now live in a state where we are not required to wear helmets, yet most people on the freeway do.

[uranium penguin]

These are ridiculous laws. It should be a matter of personal choice.

As is, these laws have become purely tools for revenue generation and an easy way for police to start a fishing expedition.

[MrRelevant]

Gee could be another example of a certain group of folks saying f*ck the police? And not complying with the law and committing the “crime” at a higher rate than other races despite being a smaller slice of the population? Like murder?

[jagusafr]

To paraphrase John Mulaney, “Because THAT’S the most important issue facing King County, Washington...”

[uranium penguin]

“Let’s make heroine legal too, because arresting dealers and users disproportionately targets “vulnerable minorities”.”

Yes. We should eliminate ALL drug laws. If a person wants to do Heroin, Drano or, snort ants. That is their problem and their choice.

There is no shortage of drugs, people selling drugs, people doing drugs, or people enforcing drug laws as is. The war on drugs failed 30 years ago. But, it continues because there is too much money involved. The ONLY people making out REALLY well on this are drug cartels and Law Enforcement.

[nagant]

I agree that we should eliminate bicycle helmet laws, and all other forced personal responsibility laws. The only reasons they exist in the first place are 1) Councilman Schlubb’s little darlin’ refuses to wear a helmet, and 2) The laws offer insurers an excuse to deny medical claims. They aren’t required to pay claims caused by illegal acts.

[Pxzftrnqfrn]

Since blacks make up 14% of the population but commit 50% of the murders, we need to get rid of laws against murder. It disproportionately affects people of color.

[jimmygrace]

Well, you can make the same argument for seat belts too!

[unixfox]

I now live in a state where we are not required to wear helmets

Same in Texas. You can ride a motorcycle without a helmet, and yet seat belts are required to drive a car. So when they claim it's about "your safety" it's complete bullshit. It's about money. Period.

[TomGuy]

enforcement has been both minimal and disproportionate toward people of color and those experiencing homelessness.

So, does that mean riding a bike with a helmet is racist, or is it riding a bike without?

Or, is it inequity that homeless or people of color typically ride bikes to a lesser extent? Perhaps the city needs to provide free bikes to people of color and the homeless, or do they consider bikes available in the various snatch-and-grabs that go unprosecuted?

Being a leftist/liberal trying to run the world is hard work. I get a headache just trying to understand how their minds work.