LA HABRA : School Makes Bike Helmets Mandatory

Beginning next month, Sierra Vista School students who ride bikes to school will be required to wear safety helmets unless their parents say otherwise.

The new rule, approved last week by the La Habra City School District, caps a four-year effort by Sierra Vista School’s Principal Rick Snyder to have students wear helmets.

Snyder said only about 12 of the more than 30 students who ride their bikes to campus wear helmets.

“Now they all have to,” he said. “If they choose not to, their parents will have to sign a waiver stating that they are aware of the safety risks.”

Students who don’t wear helmets once the new rule takes effect April 12 will be prohibited from bicycling to school for a week.

“The second time they’re caught, their riding privileges will be taken away for a month, and the third (time)--for the rest of the school year,” Snyder said.

Those who do wear helmets will be offered rewards ranging from dollar bills to calculators and baseball cards.

“The main idea is to encourage the kids to wear their helmets,” Snyder said. “My goal is just to educate the students and their parents as to the safety issue. I know, unfortunately, there are going to be some that will fight (the new requirement). But we have the waiver for them. Hopefully, it will be safer for everyone.”

The school’s Parent-Teacher Assn. will offer helmets at a discount price of $18, and children who cannot afford them will be allowed to borrow one for the year, Snyder said.