Salem (KMTR) - A Lane county lawmaker is behind two bills that would stiffen the penalties for not wearing a bike helmet.
Those bills will get a hearing before a senate committee in Salem later this month.
Senate bill 7-42 would require anyone under 18 years old to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, skateboard, scooter or skates.
The current law requires cyclists to wear helmets up to age 16, when their use becomes optional.
Senate bill 7-41 would require anyone, regardless of age, to wear a helmet if entered in a race or other organized competition.
That bill also applies to bikes, skateboards, scooters and skates.
Senator Chris Edwards, who is a cyclist himself, sponsored both bills.
