Bill introduced to mandate helmets for longboard riders

CARSON CITY – Declaring he wants to give parents ammunition in dealing with their children, Sen. Joe Hardy introduced a bill Wednesday to make it unlawful for young people to ride long skateboards without wearing a helmet.

“Parents will be able to tell their children they have to wear a helmet because it is against the law not to,” said Hardy, R-Boulder City, who is a physician.

Senate Bill 117 calls for a $10 fine against parents if their children under the age of 18 use “longboards” without wearing helmets. Shops also would have to provide helmets to longboard renters.

Hardy said he is introducing the bill on behalf of a neighbor whose child was hurt riding a longboard.

Longboards are skateboards at least 36 inches long and 20 inches wide. Because of their size, they can reach greater speeds than traditional skateboards.

While his bill would put helmets on skateboard enthusiasts, Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, is bringing legislation to take helmets off adult motorcyclists.

Hiis helmet law repeal bills have failed in every session for more than 10 years.

But Hardy noted that even Gustavson does not want to allow minors to ride without motorcycle helmets. He added he opposes repeal of the helmet law.

His primary reason for introducing the longboard bill is to protect young people from suffering major injuries. Nevada does not have a law requiring bicyclists to wear helmets.

In recent years, several states and local governments have considered requiring helmets on skateboard and longboard riders, and Florida passed a skateboard helmet law.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.