Winners announced in helmet competition

Mayor Greg Brownless with the winners of the competition. Photo / Supplied

Locals may notice some colourfully decorated cycle helmets around town in the near future.

The 2019 Travel Safe Design Your Own Helmet Competition winners have been announced at a presentation made yesterday afternoon by Mayor Greg Brownless.

The competition, now in its sixth year, attracted 1418 entries from students and teachers across 19 Tauranga and Western Bay schools (up 589 since 2018).

Encouraged to be creative, students and teachers have had free licence to dream up their very own unique helmet design. This has culminated with the winning creations being professionally airbrushed on to blank helmets by local artist Anthony Brodie.

Travel Safe said it was important to wear a correctly fitted, safety approved helmet when riding a bike.

Mayor Greg Brownless said he was extremely proud of the winners.

"These are our newest ambassadors supporting cycling," he said.

"It is fantastic so many of our young people have used their creative skills for such an important message and we are looking forward to seeing them out and about on our local roads. The designs show we can be safe but fashionable at the same time."

Karen Smith team leader of the Travel Safe programme was thrilled with the interest and support that the competition had received this year.

"This competition was designed as a fun and creative way to support conversations, in the classroom and at home, on the importance of wearing a safety helmet when riding a bike."