The Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program (ECIPP) at ECU Health Medical Center recently partnered with various community organizations to promote bicycle safety among fourth and fifth-grade students at South Greenville Elementary School. Through the collaboration of volunteers from local police departments, the sheriff’s office, Pitt County Schools, nurses at ECU Health, and funding from Children’s Miracle Network and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, 100 students were fitted with bicycle helmets to encourage safe biking practices.
Ellen Walston, the injury prevention coordinator at ECIPP, emphasized the importance of teaching children safe biking habits, such as wearing helmets, bright colors, and reflectors, as well as riding in designated areas and being aware of their surroundings. The initiative aimed to reduce the risk of head injuries among children and promote bike safety within the community.
Statistics from Safe Kids revealed that properly fitted helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by 45 percent. However, many children under 14 do not wear helmets while biking. To decrease the number of bicycle-related injuries in eastern North Carolina and beyond, ECIPP focuses on providing access to helmets and promoting safe biking practices through partnerships with local law enforcement and schools. These partnerships not only enable the distribution of helmets but also support education on bike safety for children.
Sue Anne Pilgreen, the manager of ECIPP at ECU Health, emphasized the importance of partnerships in their work to promote bike safety. Without the support of schools, law enforcement, and community organizations
