Tewksbury Police Department Kicks Off 2013 Helmet Rewards Program

The following information was provided by the Tewksbury Police Department:

The Tewksbury Police Department is on the lookout. They are looking to reward young people “caught” wearing their bike helmets with gift certificates. These certificates can be redeemed at the local McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Papa Gino’s, Orange Leaf, Friendly’s, The Pushcart, or a Spinner’s game.  

We are really excited to reintroduce this program again this year to raise awareness and hopefully increase helmet use in Town. 

Massachusetts law requires children 16 years of age or younger who operate a bicycle, or who ride as a passenger on a bicycle, on a public way or bike path to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.

A bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of serious head and brain injury by as much as 90%. Unfortunately, 89% of people killed in bicycle crashes with motor vehicles were not wearing a helmet. For more information on the bicycle helmet law and bicycle safety tips, go to www.mass.gov/highwaysafety .

If you get caught wearing your helmet, you’ll get a gift certificate for either frozen yogurt, a slice of pizza,  french fries, a hamburger, or a ticket to a Spinner’s baseball game, courtesy of the above sponsors. If you don’t have a helmet on, the Police Department will provide you with one. 

The Police Department would like to thank the local business for supporting of efforts to keep the children of Tewksbury safe.  This is only one of many events to come in which the Tewksbury Police Department will be working with local businesses and the Tewksbury Rail Trails organization to help make Tewksbury a safer community. 

For more information or to get involved, please contact Officer Jennie Welch (978)851-7373, EXT 230.