Columbia Use of protective helmets ordinance (§ 16-238)

(a) No person fifteen (15) years of age or younger shall wear, ride or use any roller skates, inline skates, roller blades, skateboards, or scooter, as these things are commonly defined, within the city limits without properly wearing an approved skate or bicycle helmet securely fastened by chin or neck strap.

(b) An approved skate or bicycle helmet is headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standard for protective helmets set by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission federal safety standards.

(c) No parent, custodian, or legal guardian of a person fifteen (15) years of age or younger shall allow that person to wear, ride or use any roller skates, in-line skates, roller blades, skateboards, scooter or tricycle within the city limits as set out in this ordinance without wearing an approved skate or bicycle helmet. This is an offense of absolute liability.

(d) Violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00).