LRB-2734/2
PEN:kaf:km
1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE
April 24, 1997 - Introduced by Representatives Wasserman, Handrick, Urban, J.
Lehman, Notestein, Riley, Springer and R. Young. Referred to Committee on
Urban and Local Affairs.
AB309,1,2
1An Act to amend 349.18 (2); and
to create 346.79 (6) and 346.82 (3) of the
2statutes;
relating to: the use of bicycle helmets and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires that whenever a person 12 years of age or younger is operating
a bicycle upon a highway, bicycle lane or bicycle way, the person wear an approved
bicycle helmet properly fastened to his or her head. A violator may be required to
forfeit not more than $20, except that no forfeiture may be assessed if the person
provides proof that, within 30 days after the citation was issued, he or she purchased
a helmet. The bill also authorizes cities, villages, towns, counties and other public
bodies authorized to enact traffic regulations to increase the age under which a
person operating a bicycle is required to wear a helmet.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB309, s. 1
3Section
1. 346.79 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
AB309,2,44
346.79
(6) (a) Subject to par. (b), any operator or passenger on a bicycle who has
5not attained 12 years of age shall wear a helmet that meets the requirements of this
6paragraph securely fastened to his or her head according to the directions of the
1manufacturer of the helmet. A helmet meets the requirements of this paragraph if
2it meets or exceeds the impact standards for protective bicycle helmets established
3by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation in
4effect on the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date].
AB309,2,75
(b) Notwithstanding ss. 349.03 (1) and 349.06, any ordinance that increases the
6age limit specified in par. (a) but that strictly conforms with par. (a) in all other
7respects is considered to be in strict conformity with that paragraph.
AB309, s. 2
8Section
2. 346.82 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
AB309,2,129
346.82
(3) Any person violating s. 346.79 (6) may be required to forfeit not more
10than $20, except that no forfeiture may be assessed if the person provides proof that,
11within 30 days after the uniform traffic citation was issued, he or she purchased a
12helmet that meets the requirements of s. 346.79 (6).
AB309, s. 3
13Section
3. 349.18 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB309,2,1714
349.18
(2) Any city, town or village may by ordinance
enacted pursuant to s.
15349.06 regulate the operation of bicycles and motor bicycles and may by ordinance 16require registration of any bicycle or motor bicycle owned by a resident of the city,
17town or village, including the payment of a registration fee.
