Bike Helmets

[Matt J]

Are the local bike shops required to rent bike helmets with bikes?

Today on my drive home we watched as a 12-14 year-old boy on the bike path began to wobble and then fell and went over the bike. I pulled into the Tom Thumb in Dune Allen and got out to make sure he was okay. Thanks to the other person who stopped and the very nice lady on the bike for stopping as well. He appeared shaken and was pretty skinned up. My biggest concern (and I wouldn't have let him go on his way) was if he had hit his head. He said he didn't and that the chain had come off and caught his heel. I think he was ultimately more embarassed than anything else. He proceeded up the bike path to get the bike repaired.

I realize that people are not required to wear bike helmets, but do they have to provide helmets if you rent a bike? Please wear helmets when biking, no matter how dorky you might think they look or how hot they might make your head.

 

[Will B]

16 is the magic age. If you are younger than 16, the law requires a helmet. I've rented a mountain bike before from Big Daddy's, but they did not offer a helmet because of my age. I would think that they would require helmets for kids under 16 due to liability requirements.
But....once the renter leaves the store who's going to make them wear it...

EDIT...

Look what I found in the FL statues...
"(16)(a) A person may not knowingly rent or lease any bicycle to be ridden by a child who is under the age of 16 years unless: 1. The child possesses a bicycle helmet; or 2. The lessor provides a bicycle helmet for the child to wear."

 

[Matt J]

I'm very certain that if allowed Peg would super glue a helmet to every child's head. That said I'm sure he was given one, the parents just didn't make him wear it. I really wanted to call his parents to come get him just so the shock might get them to plant one on his head.