To promote bike safety, 125 first- and second-grade scholars at Andrew J. Brown Academy (AJB) received free fitted bicycle helmets, along with other safety items like flashing bike reflectors, reflective snap wristbands, a bike safety activity guide, and stickers to decorate their helmets. It was part of the Bike Safe Indiana program sponsored by the Indiana Department of Transportation, which is in its pilot year.
Rhys Cockrell, first-grade student at AJB will be one of six children featured on the Bike Safe Indiana website. The website will offer videos and information for educators and families to encourage safe biking habits. Cockrell is the granddaughter of Pamela Higginson, special education teacher at AJB.
“This partnership supports the mission and values of AJB because the helmets promote health, safety, and physical fitness,” said Vionta Jones, registrar at AJB.
Teaching students the importance of bike safety is vital. According to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, “Each year, 26,000 children go to emergency rooms for a traumatic brain injury related to bicycle riding. Fortunately, bike helmets reduce the risk of head injury by at least 45%, brain injury by 33%, facial injury by 27% and fatal injury by 29%. For that reason alone, all riders—including adults—should wear a helmet.”
Every student received a helmet, and there were even some extra helmets which were given to siblings of those scholars.
“The scholars were very excited,” said James Hill, principal at AJB. “From this event, I’m hoping students learned the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet to protect their heads and basic bicycle safety.”
About Andrew J. Brown Academy
Andrew J. Brown Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Indianapolis, Indiana, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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