Penrith City Council has given away more than 30 new bicycle helmets in an effort to reinforce safe riding habits and to educate young people about bicycle safety. Penrith City Mayor, Councillor John Thain, said local police conducted Operation Eggshell in April and May.
“During this period, police identified young people who displayed safe riding habits and rewarded them with a voucher for a free bicycle helmet, redeemable at the Civic Centre,” Councillor Thain said. “The recent popularity of extreme sports and skate parks has made bicycle safety especially important. It is not enough to just wear a helmet. They must be worn correctly, have no frays in the straps and be replaced as soon as cracks begin to appear in the foam. Operation Eggshell was an excellent opportunity to reinforce safe cycling behaviour and to identify children wearing helmets that were in need of replacing due to condition or size.”
The program was funded by the Roads and traffic Authority’s Local Government Road Safety Program and was so successful that it will now continue on a regular basis.
Council’s Road Safety Coordinator, Sharon Maddox, said Penrith also encourages safe riding through the Community and Road Education Scheme.
“Police officers teach school groups aged nine to 13 practical bike skills, safety and maintenance in a simulated road setting,” she said.
For further information, contact Sharon Maddox, Council’s Road Safety Coordinator, on (02) 4732 7735.
