IL Bicycle Safety Program saves money and lives
Posted by Debbie Adlof on May 2nd, 2008
Children’s Hospital of Illinois Bicycle Safety Program saves local area an estimated $1,560,000.00 in indirect healthcare costs over the course of 5 years.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2008 Traffic Safety Fact Sheet estimate, Children’s Hospital of Illinois has saved the local area approximately $1,560,000.00 in indirect healthcare costs over the course of the past 5 years through its bicycle safety and helmet donation program. NHTSA estimates that for every $1 spent on a bicycle helmet, $30 are saved in indirect healthcare costs.
Children’s Hospital of Illinois began the “Undercover” program in 2002 to provide local children access to free bicycle helmets and training on safe bicycling practices. Since inception, more than 13,000 helmets have been distributed through 56 area schools.
Participating schools are selected through an application process each winter. Each spring, Children’s Hospital of Illinois, in conjunction with the winning schools coordinates two visits to each winning school. On the first visit, Children’s Hospital staff, and local volunteers measure the heads of all children at the winning school in order purchase properly fitting helmets for each child. On the second visit, Children’s Hospital staff, Joe Russell of Russell’s Cycle and Fitness Center, and local volunteers teach the children safe bicycling practices, distribute helmets, and show the children how to properly wear a bicycle helmet. Erin Durbin, Program Coordinator at Children’s Hospital says, “The professional bicycle safety education provided through the undercover program, in conjunction with the helmet distribution, lays a strong foundation for safe bicycling practices with the children served by this program. The timing of this program is great! It allows us to reach the children right at the beginning of bicycling season.”
UPCOMING UNDERCOVER HELMET DISTRIBUTION/FITTING DAY: Monday May 5th, 8:15am, Peoria Limestone-Walters :
WHO: Children’s Hospital of Illinois Staff, Joe Russell of Russell’s Cycle & Fitness Center
WHAT: Undercover helmet distribution and education date
WHERE: Peoria Limestone Walters, 8223 W. Smithville Road, Peoria, Illinois 61607
WHEN: Monday May 5th, 8:15a.m.