Bike Safety Outreach
Breakstone, White & Gluck Gives Free Helmets to Lowell Students at Bike Giveaway
-
- Photo courtesy: The Bike Connector – The Bike Connector gave away 20 refurbished bikes to Lowell students and their families on July 2nd. Breakstone, White & Gluck gave each cyclist a free bicycle helmet from our Project KidSafe campaign.
-
- Photo courtesy: The Bike Connector – The Bike Connector gave away 20 refurbished bikes to Lowell students and their families on July 2nd. Breakstone, White & Gluck gave each cyclist a free bicycle helmet from our Project KidSafe campaign.
-
- Photo courtesy: The Bike Connector – The Bike Connector gave away 20 refurbished bikes to Lowell students and their families on July 2nd. Breakstone, White & Gluck gave each cyclist a free bicycle helmet from our Project KidSafe campaign.
-
- Photo courtesy: The Bike Connector – The Bike Connector gave away 20 refurbished bikes to Lowell students and their families on July 2nd. Breakstone, White & Gluck gave each cyclist a free bicycle helmet from our Project KidSafe campaign.
-
- Photo courtesy: The Bike Connector – The Bike Connector gave away 20 refurbished bikes to Lowell students and their families on July 2nd. Breakstone, White & Gluck gave each cyclist a free bicycle helmet from our Project KidSafe campaign.
-
- Photo courtesy: The Bike Connector – The Bike Connector gave away 20 refurbished bikes to Lowell students and their families on July 2nd. Breakstone, White & Gluck gave each cyclist a free bicycle helmet from our Project KidSafe campaign.
Breakstone, White & Gluck recently teamed up with a new partner, The Bike Connector in Lowell, on our Project KidSafe campaign. About 18 months ago, a Lowell high school teacher and Wade Rubinstein, a local cyclist and businessman, came up with the idea to introduce at-risk high school students to bicycles, also teaching them valuable mechanical and life skills. The Bicycle Academy was born, offering earn-a-bike and DIY bike workshops right at Lowell High School Career Academy. This started to open new doors for students who needed reliable transportation to school or wanted to try cycling.
The Bicycle Academy has now grown into The Bike Connector, a not for profit corporation which makes bicycling safe and accessible for Lowell residents. To date, The Bike Connector has given away 100 refurbished bicycles. Despite the challenges of 2020, The Bike Connector partnered with Lowell Career Academy on July 2nd and gave away 20 refurbished bikes to high school students and families. As a COVID-19 precaution, the event was planned a little differently. Rather than a gathering, students scheduled times to pick out bikes and be fitted for bikes.
The Bike Connector plans to distribute 100+ bikes this summer. Breakstone, White & Gluck is proud to support The Bike Connector’s work, giving each cyclist who receives a refurbished bicycle a free helmet from our Project KidSafe campaign.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck – Boston Personal Injury Lawyers
Breakstone, White & Gluck is a top-rated Boston personal injury law firm. Our attorneys have been widely recognized their results, including by Top 100 New England Super Lawyers, Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.
We are committed to supporting bicycle safety in Massachusetts. For more than 20 years, we have supported bicycle clubs in the Boston area and we began our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013, with a goal of encouraging children to wear helmets to protect against head injuries. Today, we are proud to have worked with more than 50 community partners on our Project KidSafe campaign and to be recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Partners with The Bike Connector to Protect Lowell Students on Bikes
Attorney David W. White and Wade Rubenstein, president of The Bike Connector in Lowell.
Attorney David W. White was pleased to deliver 100 bicycle helmets to Wade Rubinstein of The Bike Connector in Lowell this morning. Breakstone, White & Gluck donated the helmets as part of our 2020 Project KidSafe campaign for bike safety.
This was our first donation to The Bike Connector and it was a real pleasure to meet Wade and learn about his work. The Bike Connector provides bikes to income-disadvantaged youth and immigrants throughout the city of Lowell. This summer, The Bike Connector is working with the city’s high school summer programs to distribute 100 free refurbished bikes. Now, each cyclist will also receive a free Project KidSafe bicycle helmet from Breakstone, White & Gluck.
The bicycles are important donations. In Lowell, there is no school bus service for high school students. Students can ride the Lowell Regional Transit Authority, walk or get a ride. Bicycles open up new opportunities for students to stay connected and on track with school activities.
“These helmets are really going to help keep kids in Lowell safe,” Wade said. “I want to thank Breakstone, White & Gluck for providing us these helmets. They are going to go a long way.”
Learn more about Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign.
Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe Campaigns Supports Boston Area Police Departments
In June, Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign were pleased to donate children’s bicycle helmets to the Quincy Police Department, Brockton Police Department and the Braintree Police Department.
Read about our donation to Quincy Police in the Quincy Sun newspaper.
Breakstone, White & Gluck donated 200 children’s bicycle helmets to the Quincy Police Department, for distribution to local children in 2020. Pictured (L-R): Officer G. Hartnett, Atty. David White, Officer Whedbee and Officer Mar. Photo Courtesy Quincy Police Dept.
PHOTO COURTESY: Brockton Police Facebook– (From left:) Attorney David W. White, with Brockton Police Lt. Brenda Perez and Sgt. Will Schlieman
Left to right: Braintree Police Deputy Chief Michael Want receives Project KidSafe bicycle helmet donation and Attorney David W. White of Breakstone, White & Gluck.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck & Project KidSafe
Breakstone, White & Gluck is a top-rated Boston personal injury law firm serving all of Massachusetts. Our attorneys founded our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013, with a goal of protecting children from head injuries. Toward that goal, we have now donated 30,000 bicycle helmets to children in the Boston area, with help from more than 50 community partners.
Under Massachusetts law, cyclists who are 16 and younger are required to wear helmets to protect themselves. To learn more, we have posted a video and other materials on our website: www.bwglaw.com/project-kidsafe/.
Learn more about Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign.
Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Recognizes Project KidSafe Bike Helmet Donation
For the 6th year, Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign are pleased to support Massachusetts Safe Routes to School. Once again, our attorneys have committed to donating 400 bicycle helmets to Safe Routes. From there, the Safe Routes coordinators will give the helmets to low-income children who want to participate in bike safety training and bike rodeos.
This morning, Massachusetts Safe Routes to School held its annual awards ceremony to honor schools and teachers which have excelled in reaching their walking and biking goals for children. Stephanie Pollack, secretary and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), was the featured speaker. Before announcing the awards, Massachusetts Safe Routes to School thanked Breakstone, White & Gluck for our donation.
This is Massachusetts Safe Routes to School’s 15th anniversary. For those who don’t know, Massachusetts Safe Routes to School is a federally funded initiative of the MassDOT. Over 15 years, it has offered biking and pedestrian safety program to children in 237 communities and reached more than 420,000 students. Schools are committed to the programming. Safe Routes now has 920 partner schools. View this year’s awards list.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck – Commitment to Bike Safety
The Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck are committed to safety and preventing head injuries. Through our Project KidSafe campaign, we have donated 30,000 children’s bicycle helmets across Massachusetts. We founded our campaign in 2013 and have since partnered with Massachusetts Safe Routes to School, local police departments, bicycle committees and community groups. Our goal has been to work with community partners who really care and are committed to bicycle safety and preventing head injuries.
In Massachusetts, cyclists under age 17 must wear bicycle helmets. But every cyclist is encouraged to wear a helmet. We hope you are never injured on a bike, but you can recover from many injuries. Head injuries can be fatal and it is important to protect yourself.
Commit to wear a bicycle helmet every time you ride. Helmet use has been estimated to reduce the chances of head injury by 50 percent and the chances of head, face or neck injury by 33 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
COVID-19 Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians in Boston and Massachusetts
Massachusetts safety groups share COVID-19 advisories for cyclists and pedestrians.
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our attorneys encourage you to follow the Massachusetts “stay at home” advisory. When you go out for essential errands, the CDC advises you to wear a face mask and follow social distance guidelines, staying at least 6 feet apart from other people.
Yet it is also important to get outside for a few minutes of fresh air each day, even if you just stay in your own yard or walk down the street. With many of us so distressed, this can be hard to do, but if you are healthy and able, we have compiled these safety tips from the CDC, the Massachusetts Covid-19 website and bike and pedestrian groups we support.
Massachusetts Stay at Home Advisory
State officials have advised light exercise, such as a walk or run around your neighborhood, is acceptable but you have to follow social distancing and other guidelines. Playing close contact sports with others is against the state guidelines. Mass DPH Health Advisory: Stay at Home (March 24, 2020).
MassBike
MassBike issued a COVID-19 safety update, dated April 19, 2020, saying its response has generally been to follow the Massachusetts Governor’s Office and the Centers for Disease Control. Cyclists can ride, “But MassBike certainly agrees with, and wants to reiterate, the official message of #StayHomeSaveLives. We encourage you all to stay home as best you can.”
MassBike’s safety tips included:
- Never ride if you are ill or are experiencing of COVID-19.
- Ride solo or only with others you live with.
- Wear a mask.
- Carry your supplies so you can avoid stopping and and interacting with people.
- Look for a place where others are not riding.
- Ride with caution.
The CDC recommends people stay at least six feet apart, but how can you measure distance when you are moving? That’s a good question and in its post, MassBike mentioned a Belgium study on social distancing on bikes. The study advises people to walk about 12-15 feet away to maintain safe social distancing or about 30 feet for running and slow biking. When cycling fast, bicyclists should keep at least 60 feet apart.
Boston Cyclists Union
The Boston Cyclists Union says yes, cyclists can still ride. If you do, the organization recommends riding alone or only with others in your home. It also suggests wearing a mask to protect yourselves and others. Read the Boston Cyclists Union advisory, April 1, 2020.
WalkBoston
WalkBoston released an update on March 27, 2020. It also warned the public to practice social distancing when walking. The organization, active in Boston and across Massachusetts, offers a weekly email newsletter.
Massachusetts City and Town Advisories on Expanded Recreation Areas
Some communities are talking about opening up roads so pedestrians and cyclists have more room to exercise and follow social distance guidelines. In Brookline, the Transportation Board removed parking and traffic lanes and opened up parts of Beacon Street, Brookline Avenue and Harvard Street to pedestrians.
The City of Boston also closed three Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) parkways to traffic, giving pedestrians and cyclists more room. These include the William J. Day Boulevard, Francis Parkman Drive and Greenough Boulevard.
In Cambridge, the City Council was also considering closing roads along Memorial Drive.
Final Note:
In addition to taking COVID-19 safety precautions, cyclists must remember to follow fundamentals, such as always wearing a properly-fitted helmet and using rear and front lights on your bike. If you need a new helmet, supplies or a tune-up, local bike shops are considered “essential businesses” and are allowed to open. Finally, both cyclists and pedestrians can protect themselves by wearing brightly colored clothing or a neon safety vest to stand out. While traffic has decreased on many roads, there are still many drivers out and it’s important to be vigilant about safety.
If you are interested in learning more about bike safety, consider checking out our articles:
Other COVID-19 Resources
CDC Advisory on Protective Face Masks
State of Massachusetts COVID-19 Updates
Consumer Reports, “Bike Riding Safety During the Coronavirus Pandemic,” April 10, 2020
Free Legal Consultation – Boston Personal Injury Lawyers
Breakstone, White & Gluck supports cycling and pedestrian safety in Massachusetts. Through our Project KidSafe campaign, we are committed to protecting children on bicycles from concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
If you have been injured, learn your legal rights. Breakstone, White & Gluck represents those injured by negligence and recklessness throughout Massachusetts, including in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676. You can also use our contact form.
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Mentions Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe Campaign
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recently gave Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign a nice mention. In 2019, our campaign donated over 4,000 bicycle helmets to children throughout the Boston area with help from more than 30 community partners and police departments. We look forward to continuing our work to protect children in 2020.
Read the article on the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly website (subscription access required).
Thank You From Boston Police Commissioner William Gross
Boston Police Commissioner William Gross thanks Attorney Marc L. Breakstone for our recent donation of 160 children’s bicycle helmets. This was the 4th year that Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign have partnered with the Boston Police Department to help protect children from head injuries.
“I would just like to thank you sir. What a great donation to the communities of Boston. You know oftentimes, people think that when someone has made it, they are affluential and doing well, that you don’t care, especially about the inner city, about people in the inner city. You’re helping me break negative stereotypical views by showing people that you do care. None of this stuff is hand me downs. These are expensive bike helmets. You are showing that you do care and that no matter what, good people are good people and are willing to give back. So you are making a difference…”
To learn more about Breakstone, White & Gluck, visit our website.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates Bike Helmets to Bristol County Sheriff’s True Course Youth Program
Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to donate our Project KidSafe bike helmets to Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson’s True Course Youth Program earlier this fall. The program offers youths ages 11 to 14 with a full line-up of outdoor activities aimed at teaching valuable lifelong skills.
Dedham Times Features Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Bike Helmet Donation for Kids
Breakstone, White & Gluck of Boston was recently mentioned in a Dedham Times article about the Dedham Bike Rodeo in August. Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign participated for the seventh year and donated more than 100 helmets to the kids. Breakstone, White & Gluck is committed to helping children ride safely on bikes and protect against head injuries. Founded in 1992, our firm specializes in personal injury and medical malpractice cases across Massachusetts.
Article courtesy of The Dedham Times. Click link for full 2-page article.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Supports Mattapan on Wheels 2019
Breakstone, White & Gluck was proud to support the Mattapan on Wheels event this weekend. We only wish the temperature had been more forgiving for cyclists riding for such a good cause. This ride is a terrific cause in our book!
The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition organizes Mattapan on Wheels each year to encourage physical activity, as well as safe cycling on Mattapan streets and the Lower Neponset River Trail. Many Mattapan children take their first ride at this event and receive their first bicycle helmet from Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign. Our law firm donates 100 bicycle helmets each year to encourage safety. More experienced cyclists help children and others fit the helmets and get them ready to ride.
This event gives cyclists access to other key safety resources too. Boston police officers and community volunteers come out to lead the ride and follow in back. There are all skill levels here and cyclists can choose their ride and challenge themselves with a new route each year. Other community groups are on hand to do ABC checks – air, brakes and chain. Then, the ride usually wraps up and everyone heads over to the Annual Scoops and Hoops event nearby.
The event is the group’s primary fundraiser. More than 50 cyclists still turned out this weekend, despite the heat and raised over $3,200 for bike-related activities. But this is roughly a third of the typical participation and Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition is still collecting donations. You can learn more from the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition’s website. The website is under construction, but you can find the contact information and social media sites at the bottom of the page.
Photo credits: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Facebook page.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience fighting for the rights of those who have been injured by the negligence or wrongdoing of others in Massachusetts. Our attorneys have won numerous record-setting verdicts and settlements have been recognized on the Top 100 New England Super Lawyers and Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers lists. We founded our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013 to encourage children to wear helmets every time they ride to prevent head injuries in bicycle accidents.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to someone’s negligence, learn your legal rights. For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.