CARE for Children, through its leadership of the Safe Kids Pennsylvania- McKean County Partnership, has successfully completed its 2026 Kindergarten Bicycle Safety Program, providing more than 400 free bicycle helmets and bicycle safety education to Kindergarten students across McKean County and in Coudersport, PA.

The initiative delivered age-appropriate bicycle safety programming in six local school districts: Bradford Area, Kane Area, Smethport Area, Port Allegany, Otto-Eldred, and Coudersport Area. Every child who participated received a properly fitted bicycle helmet, a helmet identification sticker, and bicycle safety materials to take home to parents and caregivers.

“This program gives children the opportunity to learn important bicycle safety habits early while also ensuring they have access to a properly fitted helmet,” said Kimberly Engstrom, M.Ed., CARE Preschool Director and Child Safety Educator. “We want children and families to understand that helmets save lives and that safe riding habits can make a lasting difference.”

The CARE-led program featured the book “Play It Safe” by Mercer Mayer to teach students the basics of bicycle safety, including proper helmet use, hand signals, and obeying traffic signs. The effort aimed to increase helmet use and encourage lifelong safety habits.

The project exceeded its goals: 95% of local Kindergarten students received a helmet; students expressing willingness to wear helmets increased by more than 50%; 100% of the Kindergarten teachers agreed the program was age-appropriate and beneficial.

“Programs like this are especially important in rural communities where families may face barriers to purchasing safety equipment,” said Tina M. Martin, Executive Director of CARE for Children. “By working together with funders, schools, volunteers, and community partners, we are helping children stay safe while building positive lifelong habits.”

Pennsylvania law requires children under the age of 12 to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle or while riding as a passenger in a bicycle restraining seat or trailer. The law is intended to encourage helmet use and reduce preventable head injuries among children.

The Safe Kids Pennsylvania – McKean County Partnership first launched the initiative in 2016 and has since expanded countywide, reaching hundreds of students annually. In communities with higher poverty rates, the program helps remove financial barriers to safety equipment while reinforcing important injury prevention education.

This year’s success was made possible through partnerships with local school districts, members of the Safe Kids Pennsylvania – McKean County Partnership Advisory Council, volunteers, and community partners including representatives from the United Way, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, PennDOT, the Highway Safety Network, and the Rotary Club of Port Allegany.

This project is funded, in part, through grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Port Allegany and Smethport Campaigns for United Way, and the Kane United Fund. Additional Safe Kids programming is supported by the CARE for Children Trust, the ARG- Our Legacy Fund, held at the McKean County Community Foundation, the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc., grants, sponsorships, and individual donations.

Safe Kids Pennsylvania – McKean County Partner is a collaborative effort of local organizations, businesses, and individuals working together to support child safety and injury prevention efforts targeted to local needs. CARE for Children provides leadership, fiscal oversight, and administrative support for the program.

For more information about CARE for Children programs or to support local child safety initiatives, please visit www.careforchildren.info.