Clearlake >> Beginning Monday the Clearlake Police Department (CPD) will start two new programs focusing on juvenile bicycle safety.
In the first program, CPD officers will begin handing out bicycle safety vouchers to juveniles found wearing bicycle helmets while riding bicycles on city streets with the goal of encouraging safer bicycle riding practices. Pursuant to California law, all persons under the age of 18 years of age riding a bicycle or a skateboard upon a street, are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet. This section of law also allows parents and/or guardians to be held financially liable in situations where children are found in violation of this section.
In 2015, there were three traffic fatalities in Lake County involving children not wearing bicycle helmets while riding bicycles. Wearing an approved bicycle helmet during a collision can prevent or minimize injury to the head and brain.
The safety vouchers handed out by officers will entitle the child to receive one free donut at Castle Donuts, located at 14370 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. The child will need to present the safety voucher to claim their free donut.
To further help this mission, the CPD will begin handing out free bicycle helmets to children in need who reside within the city of Clearlake. Children under the age of 18 year, preferably accompanied by a parent and/or guardian, can go to the CPD, located at 14050 Olympic Drive between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday thru Thursday to pick up a free bicycle helmet from school resource officer Joseph Myers or property and evidence Technician Nicki Burrell. The child will need to be present to be properly sized. These helmets were purchased by the CPD using asset forfeiture seizure monies.
Helmets will be issued on a first come first served basis and quantities are limited.
