But bicyclists - even ones who faithfully snap on their headgear - are fighting the proposal. They say it would impinge on their personal freedom, give the impression that cycling is unsafe and could deter bikers from commuting. They would rather the city spend time preventing collisions instead of blaming the victim.

"Wouldn't it make more sense to reduce the rate of accidents than to mitigate their damage through helmets?" wonders Rob MacLeod, a member of the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Board (MBAC) who wears a helmet as a regular cycle commuter. "Helmets are an easy fix. There's no question they help."

While MBAC opposes the mayor's proposal - though it may support mandatory helmets for riders under 18 - Anderson is not cowed.

The opponents "are, more or less, road warriors," the mayor said. "They like to get out and mix it up with traffic. Some brag they never wear helmets. Those aren't the people I really look to for advice."

The proposed ordinance, which would need City Council approval, would require a helmet for everyone on bikes, motorcycles, scooters and Segues. State law is silent on bike helmets but mandates headgear for motorcyclists under 18.

Under Anderson's crackdown, the proposed fine probably wouldn't top $40, according to the city. And a judge could waive it for first-time offenders with proof of a helmet purchase.

"We in no way see this law as placing any less responsibility on drivers. We just want to make cycling as safe as possible," said Jordan Gates, Anderson's environmental adviser, noting that cities such as Seattle have mandatory helmet laws. "Pardon the pun, but it seems like a no-brainer."

By and large, bicyclists agree helmets work; they just don't believe the government should mandate them.

Helmets are shown to reduce the risk of head injuries, which are the most common serious injury from bike-car crashes. While 70 percent of fatal bike crashes involve head injuries, just a quarter of cyclists wear helmets, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"I'm behind [the proposed helmet law]. It'll help save lives," said Kathy Chambers, injury-prevention program manager for the Salt Lake Valley Health Department. She recalled a friend who was sucked under a cement truck while biking. "His helmet saved his life."

As a physician's assistant in pediatrics, Lou Melini urges his patients to don helmets. He even demonstrates how to wear them, since he commutes by bike. But as chairman of the MBAC, he opposes Anderson's proposal, even while praising the mayor for his past work improving safety for pedestrians and bikers.

"We'd rather see the environment change, rather than just a helmet law," Melini said. "In Europe, the environment is more pleasant. Bicycling is an accepted form of traffic. Here, the environment we consider a little more hostile. The attitude is we shouldn't be on the road."

MBAC members have suggested ways to improve the roads - including advice for both motorists and cyclists. Police, Melini said, should ticket cyclists who run red lights or ride at night without lights.

As for motorists, bicyclists say the city should step up its DUI enforcement campaigns, clamp down on speeding and even reduce speeds, continue its efforts to educate drivers to share the road and increase bike lanes and other infrastructure.

"There are lots of good things the city could be doing to make cycling actually a more accepted and integrated form of transportation," MacÂLeod said.

Some cyclists are counting on motorcyclists to help them defeat the proposed ordinance, since the latter have defeated helmet legislation at the state Capitol.

hmay@sltrib.com

Mayor pushes for more bicycle, pedestrian paths

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson wants to make city streets safer for bicyclists by setting a policy that should give them more paths.

He signed a "Complete Streets" executive order earlier this month mandating that the construction and reconstruction of streets, bridges and other passages include bicycle and pedestrian paths.

There are exceptions: Nonmotorized travelers won't have to be accommodated if they are prohibited by law from using the street, if the cost to build the pathways is too expensive (as determined by a committee of city employees) or if proof exists that the pathways aren't needed.

"Salt Lake City government is committed to reducing our harmful dependence on the automobile by fully providing for the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians," Anderson said in a news release.

- Heather May