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Police stress bike helmet use after nine-year-old hit by car

A nine-year-old boy was treated for minor injuries at Sudbury Regional Hospital April 30 after he rode his bicycle into the path of a car and was struck. The boy, who was not wearing a helmet, was riding his bicycle at around 1 p.m.
A nine-year-old boy was treated for minor injuries at Sudbury Regional Hospital April 30 after he rode his bicycle into the path of a car and was struck.

The boy, who was not wearing a helmet, was riding his bicycle at around 1 p.m. on Patterson Street, when he failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of College Street. He was transported by ambulance to hospital.

Police say the boy is “lucky his injuries were not worse.”

The boy’s parent has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act for failing to ensure that his child was wearing bicycle helmet. The charge carries a $75 fine.

“With the weather improving, more youths will be out on their bicycles,” a press release from Greater Sudbury Police stated.

“Parents are reminded that they are responsible to ensure that their children and teenagers under the age of 16 are wearing their bicycle helmets.

“Approximately 75 per cent of cycling fatalities are related to head injuries. Research done by Sick Kids Hospital has shown that between 1991 and 2002, the death amongst cyclists under the age of 15 was reduced by 52 per cent. This reduction is believed to be related to the use of bicycle helmets. There has not been a corresponding drop in the death of cyclists not required by law to wear a helmet.”