Tewksbury Police, Local Businesses Teaming Up to 'Catch' Young Bike Riders Wearing Helmets

Members of the Tewksbury Police Department and several local businesses are teaming up to reward young bike riders for wearing their helmet.

Police announced recently that officers will be on the lookout and hoping to reward young riders who are "caught" riding safely. Riders who are chosen by police will be rewarded with gift certificates to local businesses.

Gift certificates being handed out can be redeemed at McDonald's, The Pushcart, or a Lowell Spinners game, police said.

"The Department is excited to offer this program again to raise awareness and hopefully increase helmet use in town," police said in announcing this year's program.

Massachusetts state law requires children 16 years old or younger to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when operating a bike or riding as a passenger.

Police said that statistics show that a helmet can reduce the risk of serious head and brain injury by as much as 90%, though 89% of people killed in bicycle crashes involving motor vehicles were not wearing a helmet.

For more information on the campaign, contact Officer Jennie Welch at (978) 851-7373, Ext. 230.

"The Tewksbury Police Department would like to thank our local business partners for supporting its efforts to keep the children of Tewksbury safe," police said.