Rep. Sykes Pairs 50 Akron Students with Bike Helmets
AKRON, OH - Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) hosted a bike helmet safety event for students at Helen Arnold Community Learning Center, where 50 pre-k and first grade students received bike helmets.
“Every child deserves the chance to safely play and explore. By providing these helmets, we’re not just giving students protective gear – we’re giving families peace of mind and helping build lifelong habits around safety,” said Rep. Sykes. “Initiatives like this show what’s possible when healthcare providers, educators, law enforcement, and community organizations come together to invest in our kids’ safety and future.”
This event is held in conjunction with the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (OCAAP) “Put a Lid on It” program. The OCAAP collaborates annually with local stakeholders and non-profit organizations to donate bike helmets to adolescents across the State of Ohio. Representatives from Akron Children’s Hospital and Ohio State Highway Patrol were in attendance to help the students get fitted for bike helmets.
“Akron Children's is proud to partner with U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes and Helen Arnold CLC to help families prepare for a fun and active summer while keeping safety top of mind. As the weather warms and children are riding more often, wearing a helmet on every ride is one of the simplest and most important steps we can take to protect them. Bike helmets are the lowest-cost, most effective way to prevent a catastrophic injury or an emergency room visit. We want every child to enjoy the freedom of riding while staying protected,” said Heather Trnka, Injury Prevention Manager at Akron Children’s Hospital.
According to OCAAP, only 10-20% of children in Ohio wear bike helmets. However, 75% of bike-related fatalities would be prevented with a helmet and helmet use can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%.