Bicycle safety event hosted by HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital

Tampa, FL  — HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital recently hosted a Bicycle Safety event on their campus to promote proper bike helmet use for children in the local community.  Each year, almost 400,000 children ages 14 and under are treated in emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries.  In addition, helmet use among children aged 14 and younger is approximately 15 percent nationwide.  

“As the school year comes to an end, we thought it would be a perfect time to host a bicycle safety event as children spend more time on their bikes enjoying summer activities,” said Sonia Wellman, CEO at South Tampa Hospital. “We had an overwhelming response from families in our surrounding community and provided fittings and helmets for over 40 children.” 

Bicycle helmets for the event were provided by Florida’s Pedestrian & Bicycling Safety Resource Center, funded by a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.  Families who attended the event expressed their gratitude to the hospital colleagues who showed up to educate the children on proper helmet usage.  Parents observed hospital staff fitting their kid’s helmets properly, and were able to discuss tips for obtaining a good helmet fit with emergency room caregivers.