The City of Regina is drafting a proposed bylaw that would make it mandatory to wear a helmet when riding a bike.

The bill is set to be presented to city council later this month.

The drafting of the bill comes after Councillor Bob Hawkins presented a report about bike safety at a community and protective services committee meeting Wednesday morning.

Hawkins stressed that the reason for the bylaw boiled down to one thing- safety.

“If a child, or an adult fall and injure their head, it can be a lifelong injury that can destroy lives, it can burden our medical system,” said Hawkins. “We know that bike helmets are effective, just like seat belts in a car, anybody who rides a bike, or in a car, should take the necessary safety precautions.”

If the bylaw is approved, every cyclist in Regina would have to wear a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved helmet.

Anyone caught not wearing a helmet, could be slapped with a $29 fee.

Hawkins said the bylaw is primarily centred on education, and that it will be primarily enforced by giving out warnings.

“I imagine very rarely, will there be a fine,” said Hawkins. “But if it’s necessary, there is a fine attached of $29 dollars.”

Hawkins thinks that public reaction to the bylaw will be positive simply because no one wants to see their loved ones suffer a traumatic brain injury.

“Accidents can happen to anyone, everybody deserves to be protected, and bike helmets for everyone riding a bike is the best way to protect them.

The bill will most likely coincide with the city’s considerations of changing the distance allowed between motorists and cyclists.