Mandatory melon protection?

State Sen. Carol Liu recently announced legislation that would require all cyclists in California to wear helmets or face a $25 fine.

Since 1994, California law has mandated that all cyclists under age 18 wear helmets, but no state in the U.S. currently requires adults to do so, according to The Sacramento Bee. Senate Bill 192 also would require cyclists to wear reflective clothing while riding at night.

“Any responsible bicycle rider should wear a helmet,” Liu said in a press statement. “This law will help protect more people and make sure all riders benefit from the head protection that a helmet provides.”

Janine Rood, executive director of Chico Velo, told the CN&R that she considers the bill counterproductive. The more cyclists there are—and the more motorists get used to sharing the road with them—the safer bicycling becomes, she said. As such, Chico Velo encourages helmet use “but doesn’t support anything that might deter people from bicycling.”