Through the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation’s Bicycle Helmet Initiative, the Polk County Recreation Department will receive 100 helmets for distribution to local children as part of an ongoing program to reduce bicycle injuries and deaths in North Carolina.

The helmets will be a mixture of toddler, small, medium and large sizes. Helmets will be delivered in the coming months with the goal of having them all delivered by Friday, April 30 in time for National Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 5.

Details will be forthcoming regarding distribution events. Polk County Recreation Dept. Interim Director Laura Baird said the department will distribute the helmets with the help of other local partners such as Capt. Andrew Kegley with the Columbus Volunteer Fire Dept.

Since its inception in 2007, the Bicycle Helmet Initiative has been providing education about helmet safety and has distributed thousands of helmets. The initiative is funded by the sale of “Share the Road” specialty license plates. For more information about the program, visit the NCDOT Bicycle Helmet Initiative webpage.