Tacoma's Helmet Law

While helmet use is not mandated state-wide in Washington, the City of Tacoma does have a law that requires bicyclists (and their passengers in trailer's, etc.) to wear an approved helmet. I found the law listed here in Chapter 11.30 of the Tacoma Municipal Code.

Cyclists in Tacoma should be aware of the law. I've copy/pasted it here, but be mindful that the law could be updated and modified from this current version.

Tacoma Municipal Code 11.30.010 BICYCLE, SKATEBOARD, ROLLER SKATES, AND SCOOTER HELMETS

Purpose and policy.

Chapter 11.30A. This chapter is enacted as an exercise of the authority of the City of Tacoma to protect and preserve the public health and welfare. Its provisions shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of these purposes.
B. It is the express purpose of this chapter to provide for and to promote the health and welfare of the general public and not to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or group of persons who will or should be especially protected or benefited by the terms of this chapter.
C. It is the specific intent of this chapter to place the obligation of complying with its requirements upon any person falling within this scope, and no provision of nor term used in this chapter is intended to impose any duty whatsoever upon the City of Tacoma, or its officers or employees, or the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma, or its officers or employees, for whom the implementation or enforcement of this chapter shall be discretionary and not mandatory.
D. Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to be, nor shall be, construed to create or to form the basis for a liability on the part of the City of Tacoma, or its officers, employees, or agents, for any injury or damage resulting from the failure of any person subject to this chapter to comply with this chapter, or by reason or in consequence of any act or omission in connection with the implementation or enforcement of this chapter on the part of the City of Tacoma by its officers, employees, or agents.
(Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)

11.30.020 Definitions.As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless every context clearly requires otherwise:
A. “Bicycle” means every device propelled solely by human power upon which a person or persons may ride having two tandem wheels, either of which is 16 inches or more in diameter, or three wheels, any one of which is more than 20 inches in diameter (RCW 46.04.071). Within this chapter, the term “bicycle” shall include any attached trailers, side cars, and/or other device being towed by a bicycle.
B. “Guardian” means a parent, legal guardian, an adult with custody, or temporary guardian who maintains responsibility, whether voluntary or otherwise, for the safety and welfare of a person under the age of 18 years.
C. “Helmet” means a head covering that meets or exceeds safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 15 USCS § 6004, or the Snell Foundation, or such subsequent nationally recognized standard for bicycle, skateboard, roller skate, or scooter helmet performance as the City Council may adopt.
D. “Public area” means public roadways, bicycle paths, parks, or any right-of-way or publicly owned facility under the jurisdiction of the City of Tacoma.
E. “Roller skates” means a pair of shoes or boots mounted upon two sets of wheels, or mounted upon three or more sets of wheels located one behind the other under the attached shoe or boot, and is most often propelled by the user in an upright, standing position.
F. “Scooter” means a footboard mounted upon two or more wheels, controlled by an upright steering handle, and is most often propelled by the user usually in an upright position or kneeling
G. “Skateboard” means a board of any material with wheels affixed to the underside, designed to be ridden by a person. (Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)
City Clerk’s Office 11-69 (Revised 05/2013)Tacoma Municipal Code 11.30.030 Helmet required.A. Any person bicycling, skateboarding, roller-skating, riding a scooter, or riding as a bicycle passenger on or in tow of a bicycle, skateboard, roller skater, or scooter, upon any public area in the City of Tacoma shall wear an approved helmet designed for safety that meets or exceeds the standards adopted in TMC 11.30.020.C and shall have either the neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely while the bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter is in motion.
B. No person shall transport another person on or in tow of a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter upon any public area in the jurisdiction of the City of Tacoma, unless the passenger is wearing a helmet that meets the requirements of this chapter.
C. A parent or guardian is responsible for requiring that a child under the age of 18 years wears an approved helmet while bicycling, skateboarding, roller-skating, riding a scooter, or riding as a passenger on a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter, in any public area in the City of Tacoma, and has the neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely.
(Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)

11.30.040 Bicycle, skateboard, roller skate, scooter races, and events – Helmet required.A. Any person managing a bicycle, skateboard, roller skate, or scooter race, an organized event involving bicycling, skateboarding, roller-skating, riding a scooter, or a bicycle tour in the public areas of the City of Tacoma shall require that all participants on or in tow of bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or scooters, wear approved helmets.
B. The person managing any such event shall include the helmet requirement in any promotional brochures and on registration materials.
(Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)

11.30.050 Bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, and scooter leasing or loan – Helmet required.A. Any person engaging in the business of renting or loaning (e.g., a test drive) any bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter for use in any public place in the City of Tacoma shall supply the persons leasing or using bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or scooters with approved helmets as defined herein, along with the bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or scooter, unless the bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter riders and passengers possess approved helmets of their own, and offer proof thereof, for use with the bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter.
B. The rental papers (contract, agreement, or receipt) must advise the person renting the bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter of the helmet requirements of this chapter.
C. It is a defense to this section for a person wearing an unapproved helmet that the helmet was furnished in conjunction with his or her lease of a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter by a person engaged in the business of renting bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or scooters, and that the helmet was fastened securely while bicycling, skateboarding, roller-skating, or riding a scooter.
(Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)

11.30.060 Helmet sales – Safety standards.A. No person shall sell or offer for sale a helmet that does not meet or exceed the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 15 USCS § 6004, or the Snell Foundation, or such subsequent nationally recognized standard for helmet performance as the City of Tacoma may adopt.
B. It is a defense that the sale or offer for sale was an isolated sale of used merchandise made by an individual who was not engaged in the business of selling or repairing recreational equipment, such as a seller at a garage or rummage sale.
(Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)

11.30.070 Penalties – Civil nontraffic violations.A. Any person, including a parent or guardian, violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall have committed a civil nontraffic violation and shall be liable for a monetary penalty not to exceed $25.00.
B. The court may waive, reduce, or suspend the penalty and clear the notice of violation as a warning for an individual who has not received a notice of violation of this chapter within one year, and provides proof that he or she has acquired an approved helmet at the time of appearance in court.
C. Each child under 18 years of age not meeting the requirements of TMC 11.30.030 shall represent a separate violation. D. Each rental and each event under TMC 11.30.040 shall be a separate violation. (Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)
(Revised 05/2013) 11-70 City Clerk’s Office

11.30.080 Enforcement.A. The City of Tacoma Police Department shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this chapter. B. For the purpose of this chapter, law enforcement officers may, at their discretion:
1. Enter, during business hours, the premises of a business selling, repairing, or renting bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, or scooters, or selling sporting or recreation equipment to determine compliance with this chapter
2. Post notice outside the premises of the business that offers for sale, rent, or other public use, bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or scooter helmets that do not meet the safety standards of this chapter, so that the public is informed; and
3. Stop a bicycle, skateboard, roller skate, and scooter race; an organized event involving bicycling, skateboarding, roller-skating, riding a scooter; or a bicycle tour that takes place in a public area when there is conspicuous disregard for the requirements of this chapter, involving multiple infractions.
(Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)

11.30.090 Information and education.A. Information and the need for bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, and scooter helmets; safe helmet use; safe bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, and scooter operation; and existing bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, and scooter safety programs are available at the City of Tacoma Police Department and Fire Department.
B. The City of Tacoma encourages any person engaging in the business of selling bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and scooters to include information on bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, and scooter safety and the helmet requirements of this chapter with each bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, and scooter sold.
C. The City of Tacoma encourages any person engaging in the business of selling bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, and scooter helmets to include information on safe helmet usage with each helmet sold.
(Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)
11.30.100 Severability. Repealed by Ord. 26885. (Ord. 26885 § 1; passed Dec. 4, 2001: Ord. 25507 § 1; passed Jun. 7, 1994)

Kids Bike Tacoma: Tacoma's First Kidical Mass

Over 55 riders joined the inaugural Kidical Mass Tacoma ride. Families, kids, friends, co-workers, neighbors, infants, and toddlers all took to the streets together as we rolled through North Tacoma to Jefferson Park.

We decorated bikes, installed some bike bells, blew some bubbles and generally reveled in a little bicycle chaos before departing the Proctor Farmers Market. Everyone was so excited that we shrugged off concerns about exactly how this was going to work. I'm pretty sure we were all first-time Kidical Mass riders.

Kris and Terry, our volunteer crossing guards, were indispensable on this first ride. At each of the main arterial crossings, we regrouped, they blocked traffic, then the whole Mass rolled across the street. Everyone would ring-ring bells as they crossed the streets, many of the kids thanking Kris and Terry every time. One young rider was awed and impressed to find out that our crossing guards are year-round bike commuters. 

Taking the lane (and then some...)

The Jefferson Park sprayground was turned on for the first time this year, which gave us a chance to cool off on an exceptionally warm May day. (I think it was near 80°F when we finished the ride!)

Parents had a chance to talk bikes at the park, too. Finding safe, comfortable ways to haul your precious cargo is important. There was a little bit of everything: trailers, trail-a-bikes, (trail-a-bikes with trailers!), box bikes, longtail cargo bikes, recumbent tandems, and folding bikes that fit kids and adults.

@JeffsIceCream

Metrofiets and another EdgeRunner!

Thankfully we had Jeff of Jeff's Ice Cream along for the ride. The prospect of a cold treat at the finish was the only way we convinced some of the kids to hop back in the saddle and ride back to Proctor.  Jeff donated the ice cream for the event and we're looking into ways to sponsor him and other treats on future rides. (Contact Matt if you are interested in sponsoring a ride.)

Thanks also to the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Wheelmen's Bicycle Club for sponsoring and promoting this event for Bike Month. The ride prompted some helpful on-road discussion with kids about how to ride in traffic, which is exactly what I was hoping for. We'll continue to make the routes accessible for most young riders, with a little more riding on bike lanes or low-traffic lane-divided streets (I'm thinking S. 15th St. as an example.) We were moving at 4-5mph, a good pace for our 16" and 20" wheeled riders, but challenging for our lone training-wheeled rider. Our youngest rider, on a push bike, used every ounce of determination to scoot the 2.5 miles to the finish. (Thank you, ice cream incentive!)

Our next ride will be June 8 starting at People's Park in Hilltop. More details will be posted here soon. Please leave a comment if you have questions or feedback about the rides. I don't know if we're doing this right, but I think it's working.

Fiets of Parenthood - Seattle Style!

We finally made it to one of the many community bike events in Seattle!  The good folks at Car Free Days and Totcycle organized Fiets of Parenthood, a huge gathering of family cyclists of every age who rode in on nearly every kind of bike and bike-combo you could imagine. The Xtracycle went in the minivan for the first time and we still had plenty of room for my sister and her borrowed Peugeot folder.

FoP was nothing short of awesome!  There was something for everyone and we stayed busy for a solid three hours with the bicycle decoration station, a huge walk-thru/bike-thru sprinkler, slow bike race, family bike obstacle course, helmet fitters, and the kids' favorite: a Madsen bucket bike full of free gelato.  The playground was a cargo bike explosion of Xtracycles, Big Dummies, tandems, trail-a-bikes, kick bikes, trailers, bakfietsen, a tall bike and even a Larry vs. Harry Bullitt.  One lucky attendee won a Globe Haul 1 through a raffle benefitting Bike Works.

Not only were there tons of cool bikes, but there were many enthusiastic parents and kids, eager to show off their cycling skills and talk about how they use these bikes in their daily lives.  Many thanks to Julian, Tim, Anne, Chris and everyone else who helped to make this event a fun time for the rest of us.

If you'd like to see more, there's another write-up here, a great video here, a bit of press here, and a Flickr group here.  The wheels are already in motion for a TBR Family Fiets event in Tacoma next summer.  Who wants to help?!

Zeit-Bike Tacoma

Mrs. TBR and I went downtown to see the locally-made Zeit-Bike bicycle sculptures on display at the Tacoma Art Museum.  Our timing was perfect and we found the artists riding their artistic contraptions around Tollefson Plaza during a break in the drenching rain showers we've been having all day.

Two of the three artists even offered test-rides to the by-standers.  I rode one with a trailer wheel-powered fan that inflated the large plastic wind sock on the back.  Brilliant.

There's still plenty of Bike Month left.  More Tacoma events here.

A PDX/TAC Connection

I'd like to give a HUGE shout-out to my friends behind A Most Civilized Conveyance.  Katie, Dave and their son Jasper are a car-free family living in Portland, OR. They recently adventured to Tacoma with their bikes via Amtrak and have an inspiring story to tell about the joys and perils of traveling.

I could say "traveling with small children" or "traveling by bicycle" or "traveling in the Pacific Northwest in March," but travel under any circumstances involves planning, flexibility, and a bit of blind faith.  In then end it's not always about where you go, but how you get there, and even how you got back from where you went.

I'm certainly inspired to attempt a similar trip with my own family thanks to Katie and Dave.

Tacoma Trains

Waiting on the platform for friends and their bikes on a crisp, spring evening in Tacoma.

Weekend Wrap-up

Over at Car Free Days they're talking about how well Xtracycle's Every Day Adventures blog title/concept really captures the essense of bicycle transportation. I couldn't agree more.

Friday, I took two little ones in the trailer across town to visit my dad. They both napped for part of the five miles. The visit was short, but good. Dad gave me a pair of rain boots, which I tucked in the back of the trailer. The awake kids we're now eager to run, so we stopped at a new-to-me park along the route home to let them blow off some steam. With just half a mile to go, my youngest was losing interest in the trailer, just like she loses interest in her carseat, so I pulled over and saved the day with one of these cookies. Always bring a snack and a water cup for the kids!

Saturday I took the small ones to the local pocket park on the MADSEN. We took a slightly longer route home at their request so that we could go down a bigger hill. They love to put their arms up in the air and squeal delightfully on the downhills, something that they don't do in the van.

That night I took my girls on a dusk-light mission in the MADSEN to find the band that was playing Pearl Jam's "Last Kiss" to perfection somewhere in our neighborhood. We made it only five houses down the street before finding the amped trio. We paused to partake, waved our applause, then continued to the UPS campus to play tag. My 4 y.o. loves to go to "the campus" because of all the "teenagers" there, many of them riding bikes.



Today was home project day and it required no biking. However, I had a ten minute window after dinner to take a spin on my new-again road bike. I made it four blocks before getting sidetracked by a yard sale. I made a deal on some vintage school desks and told them "I'll be back with a bigger bike." As I rolled up moments later on the MADSEN, the seller said, "Woah, you weren't kidding!" I answered their questions about the bike, which went something more like "bikes are great."

(Those desks were meant to hauled in the bucket, btw. Easiest large cargo load ever and the kids love 'em!)



It's easy to make an adventure out of a bike ride every day, especially when you can share the ride with kids. They see things that I would otherwise miss; detours ensue and the line between journey and destination blurs.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

On the way back from errands in Proctor this morning, I stopped to admire these signs posted on North 15th Street. I can't imagine that the city would have put them up - maybe an enthusiastic neighbor? They are located along Route 16, so maybe it was Pierce Transit? I like the artwork, which was also used during bike to work month.


Another sign that I've been enjoying is the new(ish) Satellite Coffee that went in on 6th Ave next to Masa. My family is all in agreement that they craft a damn fine cup of coffee. I would even call it beautifully brewed.


Plus, orders from the saddle are encouraged!

T-Town Throwdown

I biked the kids down to the Ruston waterfront for the 3rd Annual T-town Throwdown Trials Event. We arrived at noon for a little picnic on the grass. While we waited for the competition to begin, Gwen made a new friend and they ran all over the place as three year olds are apt to do. The riders were still walking the courses and warming up.

The Pro courses incorporated the large shoreline rip rap, but even watching the Beginners navigate small boulders was impressive. The crowd wasn't huge, which allowed for good views of the action, but many of the passers-by on the pedestrian path stopped at length to check it out. Lots of good, wholesome, family fun that few were willing to miss.

Transportation Options

Sometimes, there are too many options. Last week, I had made a date to walk with a friend at the park 1.5 miles away. I was taking the three little ones, so I'd planned to take the van. However, the wife had to work over that morning and the van was not available to haul me and my precious cargo to the park for a walk. (I know, driving somewhere for a walk, it's not something we often do either.) What to do?

A) Reschedule. (But I hate being flaky like that.)
B) Infant in a front-pack and toddlers in the double stroller/trailer. (Lots of exercise for me!)
C) Hitch the trailer to the Xtracycle and clip on the Bobike seat. (Not yet attempted by me with three kids.)

D) Take the bus. (A stop for the 16 is five houses away.)

I chose D.

We keep a stash of bus tickets for these occasions and kids 5 and under ride free with an accompanying adult. My kids have ridden the bus before, but I learned later that this was Kyler's first trip on public transit. He sat with Gwen on one of the jump seats at the front of the bus and when we started moving, he looked at me and said, "Woah! This is coool!" The ride took less than 5 minutes, but the kids had a blast.

We were prepaired to bus it home from the park (and my transfer was still good), but Sarah was heading home from the hospital (next door to the park) at just the right time, so we hitched a lift. Easy as pie.

That afternoon, Sarah walked our youngest to the hospital for a checkup, so I hitched up the trailer and took the toddlers to the store for pizza toppings. (We had whole wheat pizza dough churning in the bread machine.) I followed the back roads to get there since it's more uphill. Kyler decided to wear his helmet through two stores, which I do, too, sometimes when I'm in a hurry. Despite the drive-time traffic, I stayed on the main arterial for the trip home since I can keep decent speed on the slight downhill and the road isn't pocked with potholes like so many of Tacoma's residential lanes. I made it home without incident and felt invigorated. It couldn't have been too scary, because both kids slept the whole way home.


Explore your transportation options, but don't feel like you need to use any of them exclusively. You may find yourself enjoying the variety as much as we do.

Hauling Stuff on Bikes

This weekend I made some changes to my Cross Check and Sarah's Cannondale to address the fact that she is the sole bike commuter in this household now that I work from home. The front basket just wasn't cutting it for her, so I swapped my rear rack to her bike (with much filing of struts and adjustment of fenders to make it fit.) She also agreed to try my Brooks B68 after our Valentine's Day outing.

From Sarah's Bike

She said it handled better with the load in the back and that the new saddle was a huge improvement. Mission accomplished.

I finally installed a kickstand on the Cross Check, which required a special mounting plate. The main purpose of this is so that I can prop the bike while I'm trailering, which has been an issue. The Wald basket holder rests nicely on the Nashbar Front Rack, so I secured it with zipties and plan to use it for quick errands. The basket removes quickly and without hassle from the holder, unlike on Sarah's bike where all of the housing from the brifters made it cumbersome to take the basket off. Note that If I didn't have the rack, the basket holder would have rubbed on the headtube, which was causing paint abrasion on the Cannondale despite my best preventative efforts.

From Cross Check

After a few hours riding their trikes in the garage today, the big kids asked to go for a ride in the trailer. It was misting heavily and a bit chilly, but I just took them out for a few miles around the neighborhood. Despite the damp cold, I still had to stop and take off my coat (thank you, Kickstand). We went just far enough for the gentle bounce of the Burley on our pitted Tacoma side streets to lull them into a brief slumber.

From Cross Check

I think this new setup is going to work great. My only beef is that the weight of the basket pulls the steering hard left when parked on the kickstand, but I can eleviate most of this problem by simply taking off the basket. I'm very interested to find out if I can install a steering return spring on this rig a la Dutch city bikes. I also think the basket needs a custom paint job...perhaps something a little obnoxious to stand out whilst I'm wandering the isles of the grocery store? Lime green maybe?

Buying Local

The winter rains found more than one way into our home this week. The basement leaked (as usual), but so did the dining room window. I needed caulk.

Usually, I'd load up the minivan and drive the 4 or 5 miles to The Big Orange Home Store, get lost trying to find the one thing I need, and waste much time and resources to make a $5 purchase. Now that I'm home during reasonable business hours, I decided to check out my local lumber yard, which sells an assortment of building and home repair products.

I loaded Tula in the Burley D'Lite trailer, hitched it to the Cross Check, and we set out for Gray Lumber Company. It's only 1.3 miles away, but even on the short trip I noticed that my trailer combo was more nimble with easier starts and stops.

From Cross Check

Tula travels by bike in her carrier car seat, because she is too small to keep herself upright in the trailer seat. I leave the handle up to act as a frontal roll cage and buckle it in with the wide lateral seat belt in the trailer. She's very snug and seems to like facing forward, instead of rearward in the van.

There is a bike rack in front near the door, but my rig found a spot against the front wall. U-lock through the front wheel and frame, helmet through the rear wheel and frame. I wouldn't be long.

From Cross Check

Inside, I was impressed to find nearly every bit and bob that I have ever needed to fix my home. Furnace filters, toilet kits, hardware, pvc pipe, tools, and a wide assortment of caulk and glue. Three different employees asked to help me during the 5 minutes that I was inside. Upon telling one fellow that I was there on my first visit to explore my local lumber yard, he said that the business has been located in the neighborhood for 105 years and that "this is Tacoma." I will bring my business here again.