According to Safe Kids Connecticut, biking-related injuries are the most commonly seen in emergency rooms for children ages 5 to 14. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of brain injury by 88 percent yet unfortunately, only 45 percent of children 14 and under wear a helmet. “Heads Up For Safety” is a statewide coalition of public and private stakeholders whose goal is to reduce the number of bike-related injuries in our communities.
About “Heads Up For Safety”
Attorney Vincent Trantolo started this safety initiative in Hartford, CT over 20 years ago with the late Mayor Michael Peters. In 2018, his sons, Attorney Keith Trantolo and our Chief Operating Officer Scott Trantolo, relaunched this program. The goal of “Heads Up For Safety” is to give away properly-fitted bicycle helmets to youth seen riding without one. Launched in Bridgeport in May and expanding to Hartford in September, the program has already given away thousands of free bicycle helmets with our “Heads Up For Safety” decal.
How Does the Program Work?
“Heads Up For Safety” features a unique “street-smart” component, involving the Bridgeport and Hartford Police Departments. Kids seen riding without bicycle helmets will be “ticketed” with a voucher to receive a free bicycle helmet and fitting on the spot. Kids seen already wearing helmets will receive free tickets to a Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Hartford Yard Goats or Hartford Wolf Pack game!
These are some of the amazing sponsors of “Heads Up For Safety” who support bicycle safety and education for local youth!
- City of Bridgeport
- Bridgeport Fire Department
- Bridgeport Schools
- PSEG Power Connecticut LLC
- St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers
- News 12 Connecticut
- Radio Cumbre 1450 AM
- City of Hartford
- Aetna
- Kevin Ollie Charity Golf Classic
- Hartford Fire Department
- Boys & Girls Club of Hartford
- Hartford Yard Goats
- Hartford Wolf Pack
- 21st Century Tolland Fund
- Channel 3 Eyewitness News
- ESPN Radio 97.9 FM