RALEIGH — Children in Raleigh must now protect themselves when going out for a self-propelled ride. A new city ordinance requires kids under the age of 16 to wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter, skateboard or skates.

Using protective gear can reduce head injuries by 85 percent.

Children found without a helmet will get a warning the first time. Their parents could be fined if there are additional instances where the child is on wheels without a helmet.

An emergency room nurse said often parents are concerned with the cuts or scrapes on the outside of children's heads after an accident, but emergency room teams are more concerned with damage to the brain itself. Closed-head injuries can cause substantial long-term damage.

The Raleigh ordinance was approved in October. Cary and Chapel Hill already have similar ordinances on their books.