Bicycle Helmets in the Movies
Summary: This 1997 press release describes the effort of helmet promoters to persuade movie studios to show children in helmets.
Advocates Press Movie Studio
News Update
For immediate release
For information, call Peter Goldman
(206) 223-4088
September 23, 1997
Seattle, WA
Children's Safety At Stake:
Coalition Calls for a Response
Members of the Coalition for Children's Use of Bicycle Helmets
in Film and Television held a press conference today to urge
the movie and television industry to show children wearing
helmets when they are seen riding bicycles in movies and on TV
programs. The coalition came together in response to concern
over the poor and dangerous example that is set for kids by the
Universal/MCA movie, Leave It To Beaver, which shows children
riding without helmets. Today's press conference drew reporters
and concerned parents and citizens. Following are comments made
by Peter Goldman, an attorney, father of three young children
and an avid bicyclist.
"Three weeks ago, I took my three kids to see the new
Universal/MCA movie, Leave It To Beaver. Bicycles are a major
theme in the movie. The plot revolves around Beaver's bicycle
being stolen, and dozens of children are depicted riding bikes
to school and around the neighborhood.
I was shocked--frightened, even--that none of the dozens of
children shown riding bikes were wearing helmets. Leave It To
Beaver is a recent--but by no means the only--example of
studios dangerously depicting helmet-less children riding,
racing or doing tricks on bicycles. I suspect that someone
connected with the movie made the artistic decision that
helmets don't look good on film. Because I am aware of the
tremendous number of children who die or are grievously injured
because they were not wearing helmets, I decided that someone
had to direct the public's attention to this critical
children's safety issue
Hundreds of children die or suffer serious, and often
permanent, head injuries each year while riding bicycles. Many
of these injuries would not have occurred if the child had been
wearing a helmet When child actors and actresses do not wear
helmets, it sends a dangerous message to kids: that it is OK
not to wear a helmet. This is, in fact, a message of death for
children who simply do not know any better.
Two weeks ago, our coalition sent a fax and a certified letter
to Universal/MCA, asking them to explain why the dozens of
children riding bikes in Leave It To Beaver were not wearing
bike helmets. We have not heard from them or the director of
the movie and will continue our efforts. such as this press conference,
to bring this matter to their attention. We want to know why a studio
would depict children doing such a dangerous thing. There is simply no
artistic or creative excuse for sending kids such a dangerous
message.
We are calling upon Universal/MCA and other movie and
television companies, directors and producers to announce that
they will not depict children biking without helmets. We want
Leave It To Beaver to be the last film that shows this
dangerous practice. We are urging Universal/MCA and the
producers and director of the movie to work with our coalition
to try to undo the damage that has been caused by the fact that
millions of kids who have seen Leave it To Beaver have received
a dangerous message. We are also urging parents, guardians and
others to teach kids that they should always wear a certified
and properly fitting helmet, no matter whom they see not doing
so."
Coalition members cited sobering facts to support the need for
bicycle helmet use among children. Statistics from the National
Safe Kids Campaign and the Injury Prevention and Research
Center at Harborview Medical Center show that approximately 600
children under age 14 die each year from accidents while riding
bicycles. Head injuries are the leading cause of death in these
accidents, accounting for more than 60 percent of
bicycle-related deaths and about one-third of hospital
emergency room visits for bicycle injuries.
Head injuries account for 43 percent of all deaths to children
ages 5 through 9, far surpassing any other cause.
Approximately 75 to 80 percent of children under age 14 who are
involved in a bicycle crash suffer head trauma. Unlike many
other types of injuries, there is often little that can be done
to treat or heal a serious head injury.
Bicycle helmets would prevent 80 to 90 percent of children's
head injuries. Unfortunately, nationwide, only 5 percent of all
children wear bicycle helmets. In Washington, due to intensive
helmet-safety campaigns, the rate is 58 percent for children
and 68 percent for adults.
Other members of the Coalition who participated in the press
conference were Dr. Fred Rivara, director of the Injury
Prevention and Research Center at Harborview Medical Center;
Johna Thompson, regional director of the national head injury
prevention organization Think First; Katrina Carter, a teenager
who has experienced a bicycling injury and is now a
spokesperson for helmet use; Evan Simpson, director of public
affairs for the Injury Prevention and Research Center at
Harborview; Susie Stephens, executive director of the Northwest
Bicycle Federation (NOWBIKE), a statewide bicycling and bicycle
safety organization; Judy Maleng, an educator, civic activist,
and injury prevention advocate; and Mac Shelton, legislative
chair of the Brain Injury Association of Washington, and also
an attorney, NOWBIKE board member, and avid cyclist.
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