The Wilmington Police Department is proud to announce the launch of the “Helmets For A Change” program, an initiative aimed at promoting bicycle safety among children in our community. This innovative program was inspired by local business owner, Brittany Joyce, and is made possible through the generous support of several local businesses, who have donated $5 gift cards to reward children spotted by police officers wearing their bicycle helmets while riding. In a recent study, only 41% of children 5-14 years of age were observed to be wearing helmets.
Statistics have shown that bicycle accidents can lead to serious injuries, especially when riders fail to wear helmets. In an effort to increase awareness and adherence to bicycle safety measures among young cyclists, the “Helmets For A Change” program will recognize and reward children who demonstrate responsible behavior by properly wearing their helmets.
Wilmington Police Chief Joseph Desmond expressed enthusiasm for this community-driven initiative, saying, “The safety of our young residents is of utmost importance, and the ‘Helmets For A Change’ program is a proactive step towards ensuring that our children remain safe while enjoying their outdoor activities. We are extremely grateful to Brittany Joyce and the local businesses for their support in making this program a reality.”
Joyce, a local business owner, approached the Department with the idea. She stated, “I was hit by a car while riding my bike a few years ago and the helmet saved my life!” As a mother of two young daughters, Joyce saw that many of her children’s peers not wearing helmets. Joyce stated, “That got me thinking, how can we reward the kids who are doing the right thing, and focus on the good and possibly encourage others to wear their helmets as well. That’s when I came up with the idea of having the police reward kids riding with a helmet.”
Each year, more than 5,500 Massachusetts school-aged children, are hospitalized or treated in emergency rooms for bicycle injuries. Most bike-related deaths are associated with a head injury. Without proper protection, a fall from a bike can result in a skull fracture or a traumatic brain injury. Approved bike helmets (ANSI or SNELL) have been shown to reduce head injury by as much as 85%. The “Helmets For A Change” program seeks to increase the usage of helmets among young cyclists and reduce the risk of severe injuries resulting from accidents.
Under Massachusetts law, all children under the age of 16 are required to wear a bicycle helmet while riding. The law was enacted to protect children from head injuries that can occur during bicycle accidents. Wilmington Police Department encourages parents and guardians to familiarize themselves with the state’s bicycle helmet law and ensure that their children always wear appropriate helmets while cycling.
Through the generous contributions from local businesses, participating Wilmington police officers will be equipped with $5 gift cards to be distributed to children who are observed wearing their helmets while riding their bicycles. The gift cards can be redeemed at various local establishments, making it a fun and rewarding experience for the young riders.
The “Helmets For A Change” program will be officially launched this week. The Wilmington Police Department encourages all parents, caregivers, and children to take part in this initiative, ensuring that bicycle safety becomes an integral part of their outdoor adventures. The Wilmington Police would like to thank the following businesses for their support of this program:
Britt Joyce MT, 7 Middlesex Ave, Unit 102, WilmingtonDRP Appliance Repair, WilmingtonCiardi Tile, WilmingtonPrudential Financial, 500 Edgewater Drive, Suite 595, Wakefield, MAPearl Vision, 229 Main Street, WilmingtonAustin Styffe, Mortgage Loan Officer – Leader BankK&B Insurance, WilmingtonWilson Wolfe Real Estate, 402 Main Street, Wilmington