EDUCATION / CME / MOC II

Preventing unintentional injuries has been one of Ohio AAP’s main focuses for many years, and bike helmet safety is the longest running injury prevention program of the Chapter. The Put a Lid on It Bike Helmet Safety Awareness campaign donates free bike helmets to pediatrician offices, county health departments, police and fire departments, schools, and dozens of other organizations through support from the Ohio AAP Foundation, Ohio Department of Transportation, and Honda USA Foundation. Bike helmets, combined with training materials for biking education, including how to properly fit children with bike helmets, help to increase helmet usage in children and prevent injuries.

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General Information

Bike helmets save lives and prevent serious injuries. As more children and teens ride bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters, wearing a properly fitted helmet every ride is more important than ever. Through Put a Lid on It!, Ohio AAP provides helmets, resources and education to help keep kids safe.

  • Just 10–20% of Ohio children are estimated to wear bike helmets.
  • 75% of bike-related fatalities could be prevented with a helmet.
  • Helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 85% and severe brain injury by 88%.
  • E-bikes and e-scooters can reach higher speeds, increasing the risk of serious injury. E-scooter injuries are up 80% from 2020 to 2024.
  • A $10 helmet can save the healthcare system $41 per child.
  • Kids and teens should follow age recommendations and local laws for e-bikes and e-scooters and wear a helmet every ride.

Staff & Leadership

  • Sarah Denny, MD, FAAP – Content Expert
  • Marc Driscoll, MEd – Program Manager

History

Since 2011, the Ohio AAP has operated the Put a Lid on It! program to promote bike helmet safety awareness. Millions of people have heard the message of helmet safety through the campaign, and more than 130,000 helmets have been distributed to hundreds of organizations in communities across the state. In 2026, the program distributed more than 13,000 helmets to over 190 partner organizations across 53 Ohio counties, helping even more children ride safely.

Resources

© Copyright - Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics