NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 14, 2000

YOUNG CYCLISTS REWARDED FOR SAFETY IN CARY

CARY, NC – Safe cycling is cool and sweet: that’s the message—and the reward--Cary Police officers are delivering to Cary kids. Members of the Cary Police Bicycle Patrol are leading the department’s effort to distribute about 500 coupons for free Chic-fil-A ice cream to cycling youngsters found wearing their safety helmets in Cary. The project was launched on August 8^th through a program developed cooperatively by the WakeMed Injury Prevention Center, the Wake County Safe Communities Coalition, the Cary Pilot Club, and Chic-fil-A, and implemented by the Cary Police Department.

"It’s through such positive community action that we can work together to help prevent serious injury to our children," said Cary Police Chief Windy Hunter.

The Town of Cary was chosen for the program because it is the only Wake County town to have a helmet law. Adopted in June 1999, the law requires bicycle operators and passengers 15 years of age and under to wear approved bicycle helmets, and parents or guardians are held responsible for ensuring compliance. Police officers issue warning tickets for first offenders in order to provide ample opportunity for the responsible parents or guardians to understand the law and to obtain the proper safety gear. After that, they can be charged with an infraction and fined up to $50.00. The helmet rule applies to cyclists and their passengers operating a bicycle on a public street, sidewalk, greenway, or other right-of-way or on any property owned or controlled by the Town. At the time of its adoption, similar helmet requirements exist in other North Carolina cities including Boone, Black Mountain, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Greenville.

"We believe that the safety of all riders is appreciably enhanced by these rules," said Hunter. "Doctors--particularly neurosurgeons--and safety advocates such as the National Safe Kids Campaign agree that helmet requirements for children can greatly reduce the risk of serious head injuries in crashes."

Learn more about cycling in Cary by logging on to the Town’s website at www.townofcary.org.

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