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Fayetteville Legislator Wants To Make Helmets Mandatory For Children Riding Bicycles

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A Fayetteville legislator wants to require helmets for children riding bicycles statewide.(WRAL-TV5 News)
FAYETTEVILLE — A Fayetteville legislator is hoping the third time is the charm for a bike safety bill.State Rep. Mary McAllister(D-Cumberland) wants to require helmets for children riding bicycles statewide.

As an avid bicyclist, Christopher Green, owner of The Bicycle Shop, can show and tell you everything there is to know about bikes, but his sales pitch does not stop there.

"I ride back and forth to work, and I also mountain bike and road cycle all those types of stuff," he says. "It's not even a question. It's like to got to get my helmet."

Green admits getting parents to buy helmets for their children can sometimes be a hard sell.

"Children want a helmet that looks decent and fits well. If it makes them look uncool, they'll be less apt to wear it you know," he says.

There are plenty of styles and colors of helmets for children to pick from, but the real issue is safety.

"Parents should be partly responsible for what children do," he says. "It's your responsibility as a parent to make sure your child's safe."

Doctors say a helmet law can save children from serious injuries and, in some cases, death.

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