COLUMBUS – With the return of warmer weather, a statewide bicycle safety initiative returns for its second year.
Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Put a Lid on It! Bike Helmet Safety Awareness campaign is scheduled in conjunction with Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Week (May 9-21).
The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio AAP combine to distribute more than 10,000 bicycle helmets at events across Ohio:
Saturday, May 14 – Bike Safety with the Fire Chief, Mifflin Township Fire Department station in Gahanna
Helmet Giveaway with safety talk/video
Saturday, May 21 – SAfe Kids Fairfield County Cops and Kids Day, Ohio University-Lancaster
Bike rodeo and bike safety event, helmet fitting station and helmet giveaway.
Friday, June 3 – Deercreek Dam Days Festival Bike Safety Rodeo and Helmet Giveaway, 104 Main Street, Williamsport
An estimated 75 percent of fatal bicycle accidents could be prevented if the child had been wearing a helmet, Dr. Sarah Denney of the Ohio AAP said. She says helmets can reduce the danger of a brain injury by 88 percent.
Denney also encourages parents to wear helmets to set good examples for children and to make sure they provide their kids with helmets that they like, so they will wear them, and that fit correctly.