MILTON, N.Y. — The 2022 Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program is encouraging all youth to exercise safely this summer and get free ice cream to beat the heat.

Now in its 24th year, the area program was founded by Senator Jim Tedisco, who launched this year’s initiative on Wednesday at the Burgess Kimball Memorial Park in Milton along with local elected officials, as well as a group of young Milton Summer Camp attendees.

Tedisco, while speaking at the launch event, reminded residents that New York state law says children up to age 14 must wear a bicycle helmet, or parents could face a $50 fine.

According to the New York State Department of Health, bicycle-related incidents are the number one cause of head injuries in children in New York state. The cost of a bicycle helmet is about $20, while the average charge for a hospital stay due to a bicycle-related brain injury is $23,000 with an average length of stay of four days. In New York, annual hospitalization charges related to care for persons with a bike-related brain injury are $20 million.

The Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program aims to address these alarming statistics by using positive reinforcement to get kids into the habit of wearing their helmets for safe biking, in-line skating, or riding a skateboard or scooter.

This year, the program will distribute 5,000 “good tickets” for free ice cream cones to 24 police departments to incentivize and reward children who wear their helmets for safety, and give free bike helmets to kids who need one.

This annual effort is made possible thanks to donations from participating businesses: Stewart’s Shops, Hayner’s Ice Cream Hall of Fame in Halfmoon, Ben & Jerry’s and Friendly’s. The law firm of Martin, Harding and Mazzotti LLP is again donating hundreds of new bike helmets to police departments in Saratoga, Schenectady, Fulton, Hamilton and Herkimer Counties to distribute to children who need them.

In addition to sharing details on the program and its purpose at Wednesday’s kick off, Tedisco led dozens of campers on a bike ride at the park, then scooped some cups of ice cream for the children.

“It’s summer time and for many children that means enjoying two things: ice cream and bike riding,” Tedisco said in a press release. “We want to encourage children, as well as adults, to be safe when they recreate and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by offering kids a free ice cream cone for doing the right thing and wearing a bike helmet. My Safe Summer Program is a true community partnership among businesses, law enforcement, government and parents and it’s a model for how caring people can come together and promote a fun and safe environment for children.

“Coupling free ice cream, free helmets and education with law enforcement is a formula that works to keep kids safe. Safe Summer also provides positive interactions between law enforcement and kids, which is something that we need now, more than ever.”

Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo, during the event, demonstrated how an officer might give out a “good ticket” as part of the program.

“The safety of our children is priority number one,” the sheriff said in the release. “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 in offering this program to help protect our kids each and every year.”

With school now out for summer break, Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner urges motorists to be especially mindful to slow down and anticipate children and adults riding their bikes along busy roadways. Hayner supports the program in both his role overseeing the Saratoga County Department of Motor Vehicle Offices and as co-owner of Hayner’s Ice Cream Hall of Fame in Halfmoon.

“It’s really important, as we head into the summer here, to make sure that when you’re driving, especially through neighborhoods: be on the lookout for kids,” Hayner said on Wednesday. “It’s truly an honor to be part of this program. It’s an educational event that truly hits the mark in a really fun, friendly way.”

Milton Town Supervisor Scott Ostrander spoke highly of the program too.

“It’s been a privilege being a part of Senator Tedisco’s bicycle helmet safety campaign for the past 24 years,” he said in the release. “Always remember to look out for each other, lights on to be seen and be safe. Don’t learn by accident. Always wear a helmet and be safe.”

Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi, Jr. expressed his support as well.

“The Village of Ballston Spa has been discussing street safety issues over the last month,” he said in the release, “and the timing of Senator Tedisco’s Bike Helmet Program is a perfect reminder to help keep our residents, both young and old, safe this season.”

Stewart’s Shops director of public affairs Erica Komoroske shared a personal story of when her daughter got stopped and presented with a “good ticket” for wearing her helmet.

“We look forward to this event each year and fully support this important safety initiative,” she said in a press release on behalf of the company. “Bike safety is important for people of all ages, especially children. If Stewart’s ice cream can encourage kids to bike safely, we think that’s pretty sweet!”

Martin Harding & Mazzotti is also thrilled to continue its partnership with the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program.

“For years now this program has helped raise awareness about bicycle safety in our communities in a fun and effective manner,” supervising attorney Daniel Dagostino said in the release. “Providing helmets for children who need them and helping promote positive interactions between civilians and law enforcement, plays an important role in protecting and strengthening our communities. Summer is a wonderful time of year, we hope that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy it to the fullest and if Martin, Harding & Mazzotti can play a small role in that, we’re honored to do it.”

The 24 participating police departments in the Capital Region that will distribute free ice cream coupons and bike helmets to kids are: Saratoga County Sheriff, Schenectady County Sheriff, Fulton County Sheriff, Hamilton County Sheriff, Herkimer County Sheriff, Ballston Spa Police, Broadalbin Police, Clifton Park Town Security, Glenville Police, Gloversville Police, Mechanicville Police, Inlet Police, Johnstown Police, Niskayuna Police, Northville Police, Rensselaer Police, Rotterdam Police, Saratoga Springs Police, City of Schenectady Police, Scotia Police, South Glens Falls Police, Stillwater Police, Waterford Police and Webb Police. Coupons also will be distributed to the Southern Saratoga YMCA.

Children's bike helmets are given out to local youth each summer as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Senator Jim Tedisco speaks at a kick-off event for the 2022 Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park in Milton. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Senator Jim Tedisco speaks at a kick-off event for the 2022 Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park in Milton. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner speaks at a kick-off event for the 2022 Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park in Milton. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Milton Supervisor Scott Ostrander speaks at a kick-off event for the 2022 Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park in Milton. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi, Jr. speaks at a kick-off event for the 2022 Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park in Milton. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo participates in a kick-off event for the local Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo speaks to a group of youth campers on Wednesday as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program kick-off event. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo gives a "good ticket" with a free ice cream voucher to a child wearing their helmet on Wednesday as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program kick-off event. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Senator Jim Tedisco rides his bike with summer camp kids on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program kick-off event. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Children in the Milton Summer Camp program wear their helmets while biking on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Children in the Milton Summer Camp program wear their helmets while biking on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program kick-off event. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Senator Jim Tedisco rides his bike with summer camp kids on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program kick-off event. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

A child wears a helmet while riding a bike on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Children in the Milton Summer Camp program wear their helmets while biking on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Children in the the Milton Summer Camp program receive free ice cream as a treat for wearing their helmets while biking on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program kick-off event. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Senator Jim Tedisco serves ice cream on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program kick-off event. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Senator Jim Tedisco serves ice cream to a kid wearing a helmet on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program kick-off event. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

Children in the the Milton Summer Camp program enjoy free ice cream as a treat for wearing their helmets while biking on Wednesday at Burgess Kimball Memorial Park as part of the Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program. (Lauren Halligan - Medianews Group)

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