RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation plans this spring to provide thousands of bike helmets to children across the state to reduce serious injuries and save lives.

“Wearing a helmet is an easy way to reduce the risk of head injury when riding a bicycle,” said Brennon Fuqua, interim director of the state’s Integrated Mobility Division. “We hope the Bicycle Helmet Initiative will help reduce bicycle injuries and raise awareness about the importance of safe bicycling practices.”

This year, NCDOT’s Bicycle Helmet Initiative plans to provide around 12,500 bicycle helmets to 157 organizations to ensure that children have the resources they need to stay safe while riding their bikes. Since 2015, the Bicycle Helmet Initiative has provided 77,065 helmets to children in need.

NCDOT started the Bicycle Helmet Initiative in 2007 to educate cyclists, especially children, about the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bike to reduce the risk of severe brain injuries. From 2009-2018, children up to 17 constituted 40.3% of emergency department visits for all nonfatal bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries, according to the CDC.

NCDOT uses some funds from the sale of "Share the Road" specialty license plates and federal funding to purchase the helmets. Helmets are then distributed at local safety events for underprivileged children. NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division accepts applications from organizations willing to distribute helmets to low-income children. The selection process encourages applicants to partner with community groups to extend bike safety awareness outreach.

Organizations apply for helmets in January and February and then NCDOT selects organizations and then distributes the helmets starting in the spring so organizations can provide them to children during public safety events in North Carolina. Participating organizations include schools, YMCAs, local law enforcement agencies, parks and recreation departments, churches and other organizations that host bike safety events.

To learn more about IMD, its projects and safety initiatives, visit NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division and follow Integrated Mobility on Twitter/X @NCDOT_IMD and LinkedIn at NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division.