On September 3rd, 2013, the Oak Bay Police Department will launch a new, innovative program to encourage cyclists who don’t wear bike helmets because they don’t own one, to buy one in lieu of receiving a violation ticket for riding without a helmet.

Operation Headstart has been developed to “get helmets on heads” says Cst. Rick Anthony. Two local retailers have partnered with the Oak Bay Police in offering a 10% discount on bike helmets purchased at their stores. Karl Ulrich of Oak Bay Bicycles at 1990 Oak Bay Ave. and Craig Sharp of Oak Bay Home Hardware at 1911 Oak Bay Ave. have both generously offered to participate in this program.

In Operation Headstart, police will be targeting cyclists who are not wearing bike helmets as required by law. If the cyclist states that they don’t own a helmet, they will be offered the opportunity to participate in this “helmet purchase in exchange for a ticket” program and be directed to the participating retailers. They are advised to take their copy of the ticket with them and present it at the store when making the helmet purchase. The presentation of the blue violation ticket to the clerk at the check-out is the signal to initiate the 10% discount. In this program they would have a two week window in which to buy the helmet and then attend the Oak Bay Police station with the helmet and a receipt for proof of purchase for the ticket to be cancelled. The cyclist can purchase a helmet at any store of their choice, but the discount at the local retailers is an added incentive to participate.

“The primary goal is to promote and enforce bike safety, not just penalize people for breaking the law”, says Anthony. “We would much rather have safe cyclists than someone just paying a fine and likely still continuing to ride without a helmet”.
“This is an excellent initiative by Constable Anthony and two of our local retailers to enhance community safety. As police officers we see how some significant head injuries and concussions can be avoided by strapping on a helmet before heading out.” said Chief Constable Mark Fisher.