Warm weather brings kids outdoors on bikes, scooters, roller skates, and skateboards. These are fun ways to stay active, but they also come with risks. Every summer, emergency departments see a rise in injuries from these activities, many of which can be prevented by simply wearing a helmet.
To encourage safer riding, Aspirus Health and Safe Kids Marathon County are kicking off their 2026 Helmet Hero program with a simple message: Be your own hero. Wear a helmet.
“Wearing a helmet during wheeled sports like riding a bike or scooter can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45 percent,” said Amanda Tabin, Safe Kids and Injury Prevention Coordinator at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. “Yet less than half of kids ages 14 and younger wear helmets.”
Local officers from the Wausau, Mosinee, and Mountain Bay Metro Police Departments will be on the lookout for kids wearing helmets while riding. Those spotted will receive a Helmet Hero coupon for a free small cake cone at any Briq’s Soft Serve location.
The Helmet Hero program is made possible through a partnership between Aspirus Health, Safe Kids Marathon County, and Briq’s Soft Serve.
“We love to see kids and families enjoying the outdoors on their bikes, scooters, and skateboards,” said Officer Jeff Zwicky with the Mountain Bay Metro Police Department. “Just like wearing seatbelts in a motor vehicle, making helmets part of your routine during wheeled sports helps keep everyone safe.”
A common misconception is that older kids and adults do not need to wear helmets once they are confident riders. However, “As a rider’s confidence increases, they are likely to ride in more challenging situations and at much higher speeds. Higher speeds dramatically increase the risk and severity of any crash,” said Tabin.
“The Helmet Hero program is a good reminder and extra incentive for kids of all ages and their families to wear a helmet whenever venturing out for a ride,” said Lieutenant Nathan Pauls with the Wausau Police Department.
If cost is a barrier to obtaining a helmet, families are encouraged to follow Safe Kids Marathon County on Facebook for updates about community events and locations where free bike helmets will be distributed. Helmet distribution is made possible thanks to funding from the Aspirus Health Foundation.
For helmet fit tips and bike safety resources, visit aspirus.org/bicycle-safety. For more about Safe Kids Marathon County programming, visit aspirus.org/safe-kids.