Local organizations that hold bicycle safety events for underprivileged children may be eligible for free bike safety helmets from the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Division.

The Division recently called for applicants for its annual Bicycle Helmet Initiative. As part of the initiative, NCDOT distributes helmets to governmental and non-governmental agencies conducting bike safety events.

Examples of partners include police and fire departments, parks and recreation departments, health departments, community centers, churches and other non-governmental organizations.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2018. Applicants have the option of requesting 25, 50, 75 or 100 helmets, and awardees will receive them by April 30, 2019. Applicants are encouraged to partner with groups in the community to extend the outreach of bicycle safety awareness.

NCDOT uses funds from the sale of “Share the Road” specialty license plates to pay for bike helmets that are distributed at bicycle safety events for underprivileged children.

Residents dedicated to bicycle safety in North Carolina have supported this initiative since it was started in 2007. Since then, thousands of bicycle helmets have been distributed to children.

For more information and to download the application, visit the NCDOT Bicycle Helmet Initiative webpage.