FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2024
Community Collaboration Brings Bike Helmets to Charlottesville Students
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The City of Charlottesville is excited to announce a new initiative that brings bike helmets to elementary students, starting with a pilot at Burnley-Moran and Greenbrier Elementary Schools afterschool programs. This program, launched during National Bike Month, is a collaboration with Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Blue Wheel Bicycles, and Specialized to ensure students have expanded access to safe biking practices.
This initiative builds upon our Safe Routes to School program, which provides students with helmets to take home and access to ride bicycles during the afterschool program. Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital also offered education on how to wear a helmet properly.
Recognizing this as a critical need, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital stepped in to purchase the helmets, making safety a priority.
"Our mission is to promote health and wellness in our community," said Diana Webb, Community Engagement Coordinator at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. "Providing these helmets is a simple yet impactful way to encourage physical activity while ensuring children are protected."
Blue Wheel Bicycles and Specialized played a pivotal role in this initiative by offering substantial discounts on the helmets. This partnership enabled Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital to purchase 300 helmets, maximizing its investment and ensuring more children could benefit from the program.
Paul Buschi at Blue Wheel Bicycles shared their enthusiasm for the project. "Biking is such a wonderful way for kids to stay active, and having the right gear is crucial. By offering a discount and assisting with ordering, we hope to inspire more children to ride safely and confidently."
In addition to providing helmets, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital team members conducted safety lessons on the importance of protecting the head and how to wear a helmet properly. These educational sessions emphasized the critical role of helmets in preventing head injuries and empowered students with the knowledge to prioritize their safety while biking. "As someone who works closely with the Stroke Program, I see firsthand the devastating impact of head injuries. Educating children on the importance of helmet usage is crucial in preventing such injuries and promoting lifelong safety habits," said Stefanie Brock, Stroke Program Coordinator at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.
As part of the program, students were also given the opportunity to decorate their helmets, turning them into personalized expressions of style and creativity. This added personalization aims to make helmet usage not only safe but also cool and fun, encouraging students to continue wearing them whenever they ride.
Kyle Rodland, Safe Routes to School Coordinator for the City of Charlottesville expressed their gratitude, “The Safe Routes to School Program is incredibly thankful to Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Blue Wheel Bicycles for donating these helmets so that we can expand bike education opportunities in the City schools.”
The distribution of helmets during National Bike Month aligns perfectly with our goals of promoting biking and its many benefits. The first students to receive these helmets showed a renewed enthusiasm for biking and are equipped with the necessary safety gear to ride confidently.
This pilot program builds upon our in-school Safe Routes to School program. We look forward to expanding both initiatives, continuing to support our students, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn to ride safely. This collaboration showcases the strength of our community and the positive outcomes that arise when we work together for the well-being of our students.
Media Contact
Tommy Safranek
Bike & Pedestrian Coordinator
City of Charlottesville
safranekt@charlottesville.gov