OCEANSIDE - Instead of tickets, police are handing out bike helmets to kids riding without them, thanks to a donation from the North County Cycle Club. The club recently donated 36 helmets to police, who plan to give them to kids along with a brochure listing safe riding tips in English and Spanish, Sgt. Leonard Mata said. Police hope to increase awareness of bike safety through the program, which will continue until they run out of donated helmets. The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition has expressed interest in making further donations if the program is successful, Mata said.
