Bike helmet law promoted by Cycling PEI

Cycling PEI is hoping to take over Operation Headway next year.

Operation Headway was a combined education and enforcement program aimed at getting people to wear helmets while biking.

This past summer, the program didn't run. Charlottetown police only charged seven people this year, compared to 100 two years ago during the program.

• Charlottetown police didn't prioritize bike helmet laws this summer

Cycling PEI executive director Mike Connolly recently met with the province's Department ofTransportation, and was encouraged to start the up the program again.

"It looks like there needs to be a lead organization and I think that Cycling PEI will have to take that lead," said Connolly.

"We'd like to concentrate on the education portion, but enforcement unfortunately is still necessary. I see a lot of people not wearing helmets,"

Like the seatbelt law, said Connolly, the helmet law needs to constantly be reinforced.

Connolly said in the past the program had about nine funding partners, including Charlottetown police and RCMP. Cycling PEI hopes to sign up some of those partners again.

The province says it is reviewing the request, and hopes to see the return of Operation Headway next summer.

• Should there be more enforcement of bike helmet laws?