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RALEIGH – To reduce bicycle injuries and deaths, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Division is issuing a call for applicants for its annual Bicycle Helmet Initiative.
The NCDOT uses funds from the sale of “Share the Road” specialty license plate to pay for bike helmets that are distributed at bicycle safety events for underprivileged children.
Helmets save lives. While less than half of all children typically wear one while biking, helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by nearly 90 percent.
As part of the initiative, NCDOT distributes helmets to government and non-government agencies conducting bike safety events. Examples of partners include police and fire departments, parks and recreation departments, health departments, community centers, churches and non-governmental organizations.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2018. Applicants have the option of requesting 25, 50, 75 or 100 helmets, and awardees will receive them by April 30, 2019. Applicants are encouraged to partner with groups in the community to extend the outreach of bicycle safety awareness.
Residents dedicated to bicycle safety in North Carolina have supported this initiative since it was started in 2007. Since then, thousands of bicycle helmets have been distributed to children.
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