09:39 PM CDT on Friday, June 16, 2006

By TOM HARRIS / KVUE News

KVUE News

Some cyclists say helmets are important, but a law might discourage people from riding.

Former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd has been leading the campaign for a stronger helmet law for bicyclists, but his idea is getting a cool reception from many bicycle riders.

Todd wants a law that would require anyone on a bicycle in the Austin city limits to wear a helmet. Currently the law only requires bicyclists 17 and under to wear a helmet.

The helmet push comes after Todd nearly died after a cycling accident on Highway 183 last November. He broke several bones and suffered from a serious head injury. Todd credits a helmet with saving his life.

"I would not have been here today... I would not have been carried through to the emergency room... if it had not been for that helmet," he said.

His wife, Elizabeth Christian, is also helping drum up support for the new ordinance.

"I would hope nobody else has to experience this. It was a long road and I don't want anybody else to have to go through what I did that Sunday November 27 and get that phone call," she said.

Todd was the driving force behind the city's helmet law during his term as mayor in the 1990s.

One of the main arguments against the ordinance comes from cyclists who say it limits their personal freedom.

"From a personal standpoint, I don't see the state or local government has he right whether to tell me if I have to wear a helmet, especially in Texas where you don't have to wear a helmet to ride a motorcycle," said Brian Crane, cyclist.

Another cyclist, Jeff Wright, told KVUE News, "The probability of me falling and cracking my head is pretty slim, and I don't think I need the government telling me when I should be wearing a helmet and when I shouldn't be."

The executive director of the the Texas Bicycle Coalition, Robin Stallings, says until more information is in, his organization is going to remain neutral about the ordinance.

"We haven't seen the data that shows ordinances will increase helmet use," he said.

The Austin City Council could take up the proposed ordinance next month.