Saratoga Standard

Ballston Spa -- Exercise safely this summer and get free ice cream to beat the heat. That’s the goal of Senator Jim Tedisco’s (R,C-Ballston Lake) Safe Summer Bike Helmet program, celebrating its 26th anniversary of keeping Saratoga County and Schenectady County children safe.

Senator Tedisco joined Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo, Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner, Milton Town Supervisor Scott Ostrander, and Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi, Jr., to lead the Milton summer camp attendees in a bike ride. The event featured free ice cream donated by Stewart’s Shops.

This year, Senator Tedisco’s Safe Summer Program will distribute 5,000 “good tickets” for free ice cream cones to 14 police departments. These tickets reward children who wear their helmets while bicycling, skateboarding, and rollerblading. The program also provides free bike helmets to kids who need them.

Tedisco’s Safe Summer program is made possible through donations from participating businesses: Stewart’s Shops, Hayner’s Ice Cream and Country Store in Halfmoon, Ben & Jerry’s, and Friendly’s. Harding Mazzotti LLP is donating hundreds of new bike helmets to police departments in Saratoga and Schenectady Counties for distribution.

“Summer is the season for kids to have fun but we can’t ever forget that they need to keep safety in mind. I want children to enjoy the summer, but I also want them to be safe when they’re riding their bicycles. My Safe Summer program, now in its 26th year, reminds kids every year to wear their helmets while rewarding good behavior with coupons for free ice cream,” said Senator Tedisco. “This program is a community partnership among businesses, law enforcement, government and parents and it’s truly a model for how caring people can come together and promote a fun and safe environment for children. Safe Summer also provides positive interactions between law enforcement and kids.”

It is mandated by New York State law that children up to age 14 must wear a bicycle helmet or parents could face a $50 fine. The cost of a bicycle helmet is approximately $30.00. The average charge for a hospital stay due to a bicycle-related brain injury is $18,900 with an average length of stay of four days. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, non-helmeted bike riders are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by 60 percent and brain injury by 58 percent. It is estimated that 75 percent of bike-related fatalities among children could be prevented with a helmet. Universal use of bicycle helmets by children ages 4 to 15 could prevent between 135 and 155 deaths annually as well as between 39,000 and 45,000 head injuries.

Senator Tedisco’s Safe Summer Program aims to address these statistics by using positive reinforcement to encourage neighborhood kids into the habit of wearing their helmets while biking or skating.

“The safety of our children is priority number one. The Safe Summer Bike Helmet Program allows us to pass on simple yet effective ways to teach kids how to safely handle their bicycles, scooters and skateboards in a fun atmosphere. I want to thank Senator Tedisco for his leadership these past 26 years in helping protect our kids and encouraging them to have positive interactions with law enforcement,” said Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo.

“Senator Tedisco's Safe Summer kickoff program is a fun event that reminds children about the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle," said Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner who oversees the Saratoga County Department of Motor Vehicle Offices.

“What a fun way to teach our children the importance of bicycle safety while heightening awareness in the community,” said Chad Kiesow, chief operating officer of Stewart’s Shops.

"At Harding Mazzotti, we're thrilled to keep supporting Senator Tedisco's Safe Summer program year after year," said Paul Harding, Managing Partner at Harding Mazzotti LLP.

“It’s been a privilege being part of Senator Tedisco’s bicycle helmet safety campaign for the past 26 years," said Milton Town Supervisor Scott Ostrander.

“Senator Tedisco’s Safe Summer Bike Helmet Program is a perfect complement to our efforts in the Village of Ballston Spa,” said Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi Jr.

Participating police departments distributing free ice cream coupons and bike helmets include: Saratoga County Sheriff; Schenectady County Sheriff; Fulton County Sheriff; Ballston Spa Police; Clifton Park Town Security; Gloversville Police; Mechanicville Police; Niskayuna Police; City of Rensselaer Police; Saratoga Springs Police; City of Schenectady Police; South Glens Falls Police; Stillwater Police; Waterford Police; Southern Saratoga YMCA.

###