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. 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. 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 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. This is, in fact, a message of death for children who simply do not know any better. To Beaver were not wearing bike helmets.