CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is preparing to roll out two new programs focusing on juvenile bicycle safety.

The programs will begin on Monday, April 11, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph.

In the first program, Joseph said Clearlake Police officers will begin handing out bicycle safety vouchers to children found wearing bicycle helmets while riding bicycles on city streets, with the goal of encouraging safer bicycle riding practices. 

In 2015, there were three traffic fatalities in Lake County involving children not wearing bicycle helmets while riding bicycles, Joseph said.

Wearing an approved bicycle helmet during a collision can prevent or minimize injury to the head and brain. 

Pursuant to California Vehicle Code section 21212(a), 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, Joseph said.

Joseph said this Vehicle Code section of law also allows parents and/or guardians to be held financially liable in situations where children are found in violation of the law.

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. Joseph said the child will need to present the safety voucher to claim their free donut.

To further help this mission, the Clearlake Police Department will begin handing out free bicycle helmets to children in need who reside within the city of Clearlake, Joseph said.

Joseph said children and young adults under the age of 18 years of age, preferably accompanied by a parent and/or guardian, can come to the Clearlake Police Department at 14050 Olympic Drive between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday to pick up a free bicycle helmet from School Resource Officer Joseph Myers or property and evidence Technician Nicki Burrell. 

He said the child will need to be present to be properly sized. 

These helmets were purchased by the Clearlake Police Department using asset forfeiture seizure monies, said Joseph, adding that the helmets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis and quantities are limited.

The Clearlake Police Department thanked Castle Donuts for its generous donation to this bicycle safety program.