LIVINGSTON COUNTY — The Cornell Cooperative Extension Traffic Safety Education Programs awarded a Mount Morris youth a $50 gift card for practicing safety on his bicycle.
Nick Torcello was named the winner of the 3rd Annual Helmet Hero Contest for being ‘caught’ by deputies riding his bike with his helmet on.
The contest, which ran May 1st through August 31st, emphasizes the importance of wearing a helmet and following wheeled safety sport rules. During this time, various local law enforcement agencies across the county were on the lookout for youth wearing their helmets and following safety rules.
Twenty-seven youth were caught wearing a helmet and following wheeled safety sport rules. They were given a coupon for a free item donated by a local business. The youth were then entered into grand prize drawing for a $50 gift card. Torcello was caught wearing his helmet by the Livingston County Sheriff Office.
Coincidently, Nick was involved in a bicycle crash a couple weeks ago and broke his elbow. He said it was just a small crash and couldn’t believe he broke his elbow. The emergency doctor commented that it was a good thing he had a helmet on, because it had protected his head from a head injury. He is a true helmet survivor!
According to New York State Law, all children between the ages of one and 14 are required to wear a helmet when bicycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, and operating a scooter.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Traffic Safety Education Programs include free car seats and bicycle helmets to those that qualify, bike rodeos, and workshops for all ages on occupant safety, wheeled safety, and pedestrian safety. For information on any of these programs, please contact Traffic Safety Education Program Coordinator June Webster at 658-3250 or email jmd227@cornell.edu.
“Funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee in collaboration with the Livingston County Traffic Safety Board, partial funding by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County and by donations.”