Temecula Kids 'Caught' Wearing Bicycle Helmets: New Safety Promotion

TEMECULA, CA —Temecula's newest campaign to support bicycle helmet safety is the brainchild of local nurse practitioner Angelyn Miracle-Fowler.

Her message is simple. She believes if first responders positively support kids "caught" while properly wearing their helmets, the habit of wearing helmets will become second nature to them, she told Patch.

The "Caught With Your Helmet On" campaign, which began July 1, is an effort between local business owners, California Highway Patrol, the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Miracle-Fowler has worked in pediatric offices of Temecula Valley for over 20 years. During that time, she's witnessed numerous incidents where a helmet would have made a tremendous difference on a skateboard when they were struck by a car, she said. Instead of cautionary tales, she believes spreading positive reinforcement will go a long way toward getting the message through.

How it works: When a first responder spots a child wearing their helmet, they will stop and reward them for being "Caught With Your Helmet On."

Thus far, 12 businesses are sharing certificates, and already first responders are sharing the positive message.

Kids and teens may get certificates from Mariposa Ice Cream, Dave's Hot Chicken, Yogurt Island, Marcos Pizza, Jersey Mike's, The Cookie Co., Blaze Pizza, Raising Canes, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Rubio's, Wahoo's Fish Tacos, Mind Trap Escape Room and Staples. More businesses are joining every day, she said. The number of donations is growing daily as the program gains traction.

"The goal of this program is to increase bicycle safety in our community and continue to strengthen the relationships between our first responders and our youth," she said.

"Caught With Your Helmet On" has already shared the positive message of two TVUSD students who survived injuries from crashes due to wearing their helmets.

The two boys, Logan and Landon, were each granted special awards from Mind Trap The Escape Room in Temecula for sharing the helmet-wearing message with their peers, she said.

Preliminary indications show that first responders are excited about getting the program off the ground and sharing the safety message from a positive point of view.

"You can tell a kid to do something, but they won't follow through every time if they don't think it is 'cool,'" she said. "There is no advocate like a survivor."

To participate or donate to the program or participate as a business, contact "Caught With Your Helmet On."