Youth Helmet Program Keeps More Young People Protected

Image courtesy of Debbie West

Carole Stern and Greg Garneau have been hard at work on the youth helmet program. Through a partnership with Safe Kids Durham County, the Durham Bicycle Co-operative receives child and youth helmets, as well as some adult helmets for larger sized kids, which the DBC is able to distribute for free.

Image courtesy of  Debbie West

This year, the DBC has also received a grant for youth helmets from the North Carolina Department of Transportation which are expected to arrive later this month.

The program raises the Co-op's visibility in the community and helps promote bicycling in Durham, especially in under-served communities. Greg and Carole have been bringing helmets to community events. Additionally, child, youth, and adult helmets are located at the shop which can be distributed to kids under 18 for free if they don't have a helmet yet, and to adults for $10.

Image courtesy of Debbie West

"If you've never done helmet fitting at an event, let me tell you, it's super fun!" reported DBC Treasurer Debbie West.

At the Durham City's Earth Day celebration, the Co-op distributed 77 helmets. Participants reportedly stayed at the Co-op's booth even after the event had ended.

Greg Garneau, Vanessa Roth, and Theresa Cromling of Safe Kids Durham County (with the help of Jeff Garneau plus Steve Saltzman of the Self Help Credit Union) fitted 77 kids and 17 adults with helmets at the recent Durham Co-op Market opening event coordinated by Leila Wolfrum and Laura Pyatt, and Greg and Carole distributed about 25 helmets last weekend at the Bike Fest event in Solite Park.

Reportedly, helmet fittings will continue to be a fixture at future events. For anyone interested in helping out, contact DBC Helmet Coordinator Carole Stern at carole.a.stern@gmail.com.

(Debbie West contributed to this article)

Do you always ride with a helmet? Which style do you prefer?