The King County Board of Health voted Thursday to repeal a law mandating that bicycle riders wear helmets, citing studies that showed people of color and the homeless were disproportionately targeted.
The board, which governs public health in Seattle and the surrounding areas, said the 1993 law allowing police to fine cyclists riding without helmets has"shown racist and discriminatory enforcement," according to the press release. Black cyclists were four times more likely than white cyclists to be fined, and in Seattle, nearly half the citations went to homeless people, police data from the last several years show.
The board affirmed the safety benefits of wearing a helmet while cycling and allocated money to programs that provide free helmets. It said it will closely assess the safety ramifications of dropping the helmet law in the coming years. Enforcement of the law has been minimal in recent years, the Seattle Times reported.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
King County Board of Health repeals helmet law“Everyone should wear a helmet while riding. But enforcement of the helmet law has harmed BIPOC riders and riders experiencing homelessness who are bearing the brunt of disproportionate enforcement, citations, and fees,” said Board Chair Joe McDermott.
Lire la suite »
King County prosecutors look to charge drug dealers with homicide as overdose deaths continue to riseWith fentanyl deaths soaring across the country and locally in King County, prosecutors are working to build up more cases against drug dealers to charge them with controlled substance homicide. FOX13
Lire la suite »
King County votes to repeal law requiring bike helmetsThe King County Board of Health voted on Thursday to repeal the county's bike helmet law after data showed it disproportionately impacted communities of color and people experiencing homelessness. FOX13
Lire la suite »
King County to end vaccine verification policy March 1Businesses and organizations may continue to require the verification rules for their locations.
Lire la suite »
How a space rock became King Tut’s daggerAn X-ray scan helps to show how the pharaoh’s knife was forged — and suggests a prestigious pedigree.
Lire la suite »
Princess wants Belgium to apologize for its past as king heads to CongoPrincess Esmeralda first called on her country to apologize in 2020 and her latest push comes as Belgium's king is slated to visit the DRC next month.
Lire la suite »