Chicago City Council Considers Motorcycle Helmet Law

CHICAGO -- Mayor Daley is backing a proposed ordinance that would require crash helmets for motorcyclists in Chicago.

WBBM Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore says the measure was introduced at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

Daley says the City should do what the state has failed to do.

Ald. Edward Burke (14th) introduced an ordinance that would require motorcycle riders to wear helmets within city limits.

Burke said the Illinois General Assembly has repeatedly failed to pass proposals for helmet mandates and said the city should act to do so. "Tell them when they come to Chicago, put their helmet on," Burke added.

As for those who argue motorcyclists should have the choice whether to wear a helmet since they are the only one at risk by not wearing one, Burke said: "The same kinds of arguments were advanced when there was opposition to the mandatory seatbelt law. It's true that seatbelts save lives and it's true that helmets will save lives of people who operate or ride on motorcycles."

The alderman said injuries caused by motorcycle accidents cost hundreds of millions of dollars every year in Medicare coverage and other public health care costs.

Daley said after the meeting that it should not only be a law for motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, but that a helmet requirement should be put in insurance policies.

"You should not get an insurance policy unless you have it," Daley said. "How do you get insurance to ride a motorcycle without a helmet?"

The mayor said government should not have to bear the responsibility of paying the medical bills of those who are injured in motorcycle crashes because they were not wearing helmets. "Why should we pay their costs? Why should they be a burden upon society."

"When I ride a bike, I put a helmet on every time," Daley said. "I don't care if you go around the block, wear the helmet. Because friends of mine have fallen off of bikes and they have seriously injured themselves. They didn't have a helmet on."

The mayor also said government officials should consider mandating helmets for bicyclists, rollerbladers and skateboarders. "It's something to look at," Daley said.