Vehicles began lining up shortly after 10 a.m. at the Cambridge Centre parking lot Saturday where volunteers with the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington were handing out bike helmets to Cambridge families who registered for the free Lidz for Kidz program.
Now into its second year, Lidz for Kidz provides free helmets and safety information to 1,250 kids across Waterloo Region and Guelph.
Last year they delivered 270 to kids in Kitchener, Guelph and Mount Forest.
Registration for this year's program, which continues in Guelph next Saturday, is already full with a long waiting list.
Association executive director Lynda Abshoff said the program targets low income and newcomer families with a goal of preventing brain injuries.
Their bike helmet safety pamphlet shows how to safely wear a helmet in five languages, Hindu, Arabic, Tagalog, English and Mandarin.
Normally, the association goes into schools to spread awareness about the program, but the pandemic put a wrench in the gears of their usual outreach, forcing them to pivot with Lidz for Kidz.
The association partnered with Toyota to sponsor the helmets, along with corporate sponsors McLeish Orlando critical injury lawyers.
Abshoff said with a renewed interest in cycling during the pandemic, and more kids on bikes, the association's advocacy, education and awareness around bike helmet safety is more important than ever.
