Putting on a helmet before riding your bicycle can have more than one benefit.

Just ask 12-year-old Kristen Henry, who is the latest winner in the Operation Melon program.

On Friday, June 26,  Henry, a student at Shakespeare  Public School, was presented with her prize – a $200 gift certificate towards a new bicycle, as well as helmet and lock donated by Totally Spoke’d.

Operation Melon is a program operated by the Stratford Police Service and the Perth District Health Unit. Throughout this past school year, students were given “tickets” if they were spotted wearing their bike helmets. The ticket was an entry into the prize draw.

There were approximately 285 tickets in the draw, says Stratford Police Service Const. Rob Viani, who notes that the majority of students police observed were obeying the helmet law.

Youth ages 12 to 17 riding their bikes without a helmet may be given a Highway Traffic ticket.

Tickets for youths under age 12 may be issued to the parents. The law is that if a person is under 18 years of age they must wear a helmet if they are cycling.

Operation Melon continues throughout the summer.  The health unit and the police will be monitoring helmet use among youths riding their bikes. Youth who are seen wearing a helmet while riding their bikes, and making good decisions while riding or walking their bikes will be given a ‘draw’ ticket.

A second prize draw will be held in mid-September.

“You only have one head and one brain. One hard crash can change your life forever,” says Velma Hansford, public health nurse.