Police have joined forces with the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust to promote cycling safety and reduce injuries.
This summer, North Yorkshire Police will be supporting the successful Helmet Watch scheme from the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, a charity that helps to reduce the number of children who are killed and injured every year in cycling accidents in the UK.
Youngsters aged between three and fifteen who are spotted by appointed North Yorkshire Police Officers and PCSOs wearing their bicycle helmets could recieve an on the spot prize, a bookmark on how to fit a helmet correctly, an information card for parents and a prize draw card to win one of the bigger regional prizes.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, said: “Helmet Watch is a great way of rewarding young people who wear a cycle helmet. A number of children are teased or even bullied for wearing a helmet and this scheme encourages every youngster to wear one. “Cycling is great fun. It’s good for the environment and an excellent way to keep fit but there are risks involved. Head injury is the biggest single cause of death and serious injury amongst young cyclists and wearing a helmet is proven to help minimise the risk of brain injury.”
Angela Lee, founder and chief executive of The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, said she was delighted that North Yorkshire Police were taking part in Helmet Watch this year. She added: “Last year, thanks to the help of Police Forces throughout the UK, 22,000 children were rewarded for wearing a helmet. This is a wonderful achievement.”
Further information, safety advice and interactive games are available on www.bhit.org
