Free Bicycle Helmets at Cherokee Community Building

Cherokee County -- October 16, 2023: The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Integrated Mobility Division making available free bicycle safety helmets for those who may need them as long as supplies last in an effort to reduce bicyclist injuries and fatalities.

Children are among the key demographics involved in bicycle-related incidents:
On average, 20 bicyclists are killed each year in North Carolina, according to N.C. Department of Transportation statistics. One in six is under 16 years old.
Children 5 to 14 years old visit emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries more than any other sport or recreational activity.

Typically, less than 50 percent of children wear safety helmets, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. The Helmet Safety Institute says wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent.
Sheriff Smith and the staff of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office encourage you to always bike safely and wear your helmet!

Helmets will be available at the Cherokee County Fair located at the entrance to the Community Center building. If you need assistance, reach out to any of the public safety officials you may encounter.
Funding for these helmets comes from North Carolina's "Share the Road" specialty license plate program. Your support is appreciated and encouraged.