Since the program's launch in 2011, more than 100,000 free helmets have gone to Ohio children.

COLUMBUS, Ohio Thousands of bike helmets will be handed out to children across the state this year as part of theOhio American Academy of Pediatrics bike helmet safety awareness campaign.

This is the ninth year that the Ohio Department of Transportation has teamed up with AAP to distribute helmets during Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Month in May. This year, 10,000 bike helmets were passed out to law enforcement agencies and community-based groups in Ohio.

Since the program's launch in 2011, more than 100,000 free helmets have gone to Ohio children.

The Honda USA Foundation provided a $25,000 grant for the helmets this year.

ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning said groups and agencies apply to get the helmets that they can then distribute to their community. Those groups will also get educational resources and a helmet-fitting demonstration.

Its something were proud of and happy to do because we know that biking is very important. We want kids to go out and do that, but we want to make sure theyre safe when they do it," Bruning said.

More than 150 law enforcement agencies and community organizations traveled to Columbus to pick up their allotment of helmets on Tuesday.

Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%, helping prevent unnecessary trips to hospitals, said Melissa Wervey Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio AAP. We are incredibly grateful for ODOTs support of our Put a Lid on It program. Through this partnership, we are protecting kids and creating a safer environment for them to thrive.

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