NEWPORT BEACH : Bike-Helmet Law Is Goal of Parents

Parents at Horace Ensign Intermediate School who say they are tired of trying to encourage young bicyclists to wear helmets have launched a campaign for state legislation that would make protective headgear mandatory for riders 17 and under.

In the past few weeks, parents and Ensign Principal Scott Paulsen have collected about 2,000 signatures on a petition asking for state legislation. They have also been attempting to solicit support from parents throughout the Newport-Mesa Unified and Irvine Unified school districts, often bringing their bike-safety message to community sports events and other gatherings.

Karen Evarts, a parent who is leading the drive, says she took her cue from a new state law that will require motorcycle riders to wear helmets starting in January.

“We’re really patterning this after that law,” Evart explained. “We decided if we could do something to save one child’s life, it would be worth it.”

Paulsen, who supports the parents’ efforts, said he often hands out small cash rewards or other incentives to youngsters who are wearing helmets when they pedal into school. He said he hopes that the incentives will encourage other children to wear the headgear.

“This is a tough age to get kids to do this,” Paulsen said. “They think they’re omnipotent, that nothing can happen (to them).”

The school will also try to encourage students to wear the helmets through upcoming rallies featuring local sports heroes and others, Paulsen said. Additionally, Ensign students can buy helmets at the school at reduced rates or win them through poster and slogan contests on bicycle safety.

The parents’ group hopes to have gathered 5,000 signatures by Nov. 8, when it will present them at a conference on children’s bicycle safety at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

State Sen. Marian Bergeson and Assemblyman Gil Ferguson, both Newport Beach Republicans, have expressed support for the idea, and Bergeson’s staff is studying the issue further.

“Mandates always cause some concern because of the problem of enforcement, but conceptually there’s no question it’s a very good idea,” Bergeson said. “I think that it makes good sense.”

Newport Beach’s bicycle-trails committee also supports the plan, and the Newport-Mesa school board is planning to express its support at a coming meeting.