Wheeled Sports Program

The Wheeled Safety Program provides free high quality bicycle helmets to children under the age of 14. The department conducts the Lawrence Helmet Fair each May which provides information for all types of summer activities, along with free helmets. See pictures of last year's Helmet Fair at Haskell University.

The Wheeled Safety Program started in May of 1996 with a grant of $300.00 from the Children's Miracle Network. We turned the $300.00 dollars into 90 helmets. The helmets were put on the medic units and given out to children who were participating in wheeled sports without a helmet. Those first 90 helmets were gone within six weeks. Laird Noller Automotive stepped forward and pledged $ 10.00 for every new vehicle they sold during the summer months. This money allowed us to purchase several hundred helmets. Since May of 1996 we have provide over 9,000 helmets to the children of Douglas County.

In 2001 the following agencies became sponsor of this great program.

• City of Lawrence
• Stephens Real Estate
• Douglas County SAFEKIDS
• State Farm Insurance (local agents)

Laird Noller Automotive continues their generous support for this program. Without Laird Noller Automotive this program would not have been able to grow into what it has today.

This program has continued to grow during the years. In 2003 we have provided nearly 2000 helmets. Our Helmet Fair in May was the largest to date with over 2500 people in attendance. (See photos of 2003 fair)

WHY DO WE NEED TO HAVE A HELMET PROGRAM?

• 500,000 Children in the USA are injured in bicycle accident annually!
• 252 OF THESE CHILDREN WILL DIE!!!!
• Of the 252 that died 97% or 244 were NOT wearing a HELMET!
• Nearly half of all severe injuries from bicycle crashes are diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

This means in 2000 more than 4,250 of the 9,000 children ages 14 and under hospitalized for bike related injuries suffered TBI.

TBI can have serious long-term effects on quality of life for these children.

The child that survives a TBI can be left with:

1. Paralysis
2. Severe Amnesia
3. Slurred Speech
4. Depression
5. Anxiety
6. Loss of Motor Skills

SO WHY DO WE HAVE A HELMET PROGRAM?

HELMETS CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF BRAIN INJURY BY AS MUCH AS 88 %

UNFORTUNATELY ONLY 15-25% OF KIDS WEAR A HELMET

SAFEKIDS ASKED 10 -14 YEAR OLDS THESE QUESTIONS

Why will kids not wear helmets?

I only ride near my home	47%
Helmets are uncomfortable	43%
I don't think I need it	32%
I'm older now and in control more	29%
I don't feel cool wearing a helmet	28%
My parents don't make me	27%

What would get you to wear a helmet?

Knowing someone who was badly hurt without a helmet	54%
PARENTS HAVING A RULE	53%
A law in my community or state	49%
A more comfortable helmet	47%

WHY DO WE DO ALL OF THIS WORK?