Helmets

A state appeals court has unanimously upheld California's law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, concluding that the statute is in society's best interest and not overly intrusive. Associate Justice Sheila Prell Sonenshine of the 4th District Court of Appeal, who wrote the 3-0 decision released Thursday, declared that the state has the right to enact restrictions, such as the helmet law, that govern public safety.

The California Highway Patrol said Thursday that riding motorcycles without a helmet is a violation subject to a heavy fine and citation rather than a "fix-it" ticket. The CHP said a recent advisory memo from the California Judicial Council left the impression that helmet law violations were simple fix-it tickets remedied with proof of correction and a $10 fine.

Thao Pham walks in her pink high-top sneakers along a row of motorcycle helmets at the eVo shop on Hai Ba Trung Street. Her current helmet, with a "Funny Love Pucca" cartoon character pattern, is so yesterday. And there's a sale, 30% off. The 21-year-old tries on a winged "Snoopy in Car" model, a red-and-white ladybug helmet and the "Monokura Boo," featuring a black-and-white pig, before wandering off. So many helmets, so little time. "I wear different ones depending on my mood," says Thao, an office worker.

Discount coupons are available at the Police Department for parents who want to buy bicycle helmets for their children. The coupons may be redeemed at Dave's Schwinn in Anaheim and Ocean Schwinn in Huntington Beach. Coupon holders can buy the helmets at $20 each, about half of the regular price.

Hoping to make riding to and from school safer, the Santa Ana Unified School District is offering 700 bike helmets for sale to elementary school students. School district spokeswoman Diane Thomas said that the $20 helmets are being sold for $6 each, making them inexpensive enough for low-income families to purchase. Most of the cost of the helmets was paid by donations from the Orange County Trauma Society.

The Los Angeles Police Department hopes to outfit all its officers with better protective helmets within the year, officials said Tuesday. The need for better helmets was emphasized after the 1992 riots. Since then, the LAPD has been searching for helmets with which to outfit its officers in the event of another riot.

After watching the Kings' Ron Duguay smash his head on the ice in a recent game, I have to wonder when the Kings, the National Hockey League and players who don't wear helmets are going to wise up. It seems to me it would be in everyone's best interest for the league or individual teams to make helmets mandatory. BRAD KEARNS Malibu

In the rear of his athletic equipment warehouse in Anaheim, Bob Brown walks through Orange County's football helmet graveyard. His 800 used and abused helmets, all awaiting a decent burial, feature the team logos and colors of almost every Orange County high school. There's Mater Dei's red-and-white-striped helmet, and Huntington Beach's black and orange gear. A pile of Ocean View's red-and-gold helmets sit nearby.

A fatal crash at the Encino Velodrome on Saturday night has raised questions regarding safety requirements of bicycle track racing in Southern California. Rod Ballard, 36, of Brentwood, suffered massive head injuries in the accident, which occurred during a match sprint race at the velodrome. He died Tuesday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. According to track officials, Ballard was the first fatality at the 25-year-old velodrome.