Title
To recognize May 7th-11th, 2012 as Ohio Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Week.
Body
WHEREAS, The Ohio American Academy of Pediatrics, celebrates May 7-11, 2012 as Ohio Bike Helmet Safety Awareness week, encouraging children to "Put a Lid on It! Protect Before You Pedal, and;
WHEREAS, The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has partnered with OAAP to host bike rodeos, helmet fittings, and safety classes, and;
WHEREAS, Ohio Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Week is a good opportunity to remind children and parents that Columbus has a youth safety helmet law that requires those under the age of 19 to wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter, inline skates, or any other children's non-motorized vehicle, and;
WHEREAS, 51,000 - enough people to fill Nationwide Arena in Columbus 2 ½ times - were injured last year by NOT wearing a bike helmet, and;
WHEREAS, estimates indicate that just 10-20% of Ohio children wear bike helmets, yet more than 70 percent of children ride a bicycle regularly, and;
WHEREAS, the AAP reports that 75% of bike-related fatalities would be prevented with a helmet and that helmet use can reduce the risk
of head injury by 85% and severe brain injury by 88%, and;
WHEREAS, universal use of bicycle helmets by children could prevent between 135 and 155 deaths, between 39,000 and 45,000 head injuries, and between 18,000 and 55,000 scalp and face injuries annually in the United States, and;
WHEREAS, use of a $10 bike helmet saves the Columbus area healthcare system $41 per child and free helmets are available through Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Blue Jackets Foundation and through local bike rodeos to help every child have access to a helmet; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize May 7th-11th, 2012 as Ohio Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Week and joins OAAP in encouraging all to "Put a Lid on It! Protect Before You Pedal" all year long.