In Wednesday night's meeting, Innisfil Council voted to amend Innisfil’s Parks Bylaw 039-16 to require anyone operating a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, inline skates, or roller skates on the town’s skate parks or new BMX Pump track to wear a helmet.
The town has two skate parks, in Stroud and Lefroy, and recently authorized the purchase of a mobile BMX pump track for Innisfil Beach Park.
In consultation with the town’s insurer, the recommendation was made that the municipality require the wearing of helmets, as a way to “mitigate the Town’s risk” in case of injury.
Bylaw 054-21 would make it mandatory for helmets to be worn while operating within the skate park or BMX pump track, and would also prohibit the use of motorized vehicles (such as electronic hoverboards or e-bikes) on these amenities.
Parents or guardians would be responsible for ensuring that minors under the age of 16 comply with the bylaw.
The town will ask the Ontario Court to approve a set fine for non-compliance, in keeping with other fines for Parks violations (currently $155).
The Canadian Pediatric Society has identified cycling as “a leading cause of sport and recreational injury in children and adolescents,” especially head injuries, however, the by-law requiring a helmet will only apply to the skate parks and BMX tracks, and not to the Town’s many bicycle trails and paths.
Staff explained, by calling the proposed amendment a pilot. The report to council suggested, “Given the impact of increased enforcement, the… proposal is to implement the amending bylaw for skate parks and the pump track as an initial pilot with the potential for further broadening in the future.”
Town Council approved the amended bylaw, which has been endorsed not only by the town’s insurer, but by the South Simcoe Police Service.
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month.
