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Bike Helmet Program

In 1993, the Des Moines Police Department designed a program called P.A.T.C.H.E.S. (Public Awareness Through Community Helmet Education and Safety). The purpose of this program is to educate the community in Bicycle Helmet Safety, as well as to create a bank of bicycle helmets to be given to the underprivileged youth in our community. Studies by area hospitals have shown that wearing a bicycle helmet reduces the risk of serious head injuries by 85% when a person is involved in an accident.

Through the cooperative effort of the Des Moines Police Department, the Des Moines Kiwanis Club and the Des Moines Rotary Club, hundreds of helmets have been provided to members of our community.

Des Moines Municipal Code 10.12.010 requires a person operating or riding on a bicycle on a right of way shall wear a protective helmet designed for bicycle safety. A violation of this section is a $95 civil infraction.

The Police Department accepts donations of either NEW bicycle helmets or monetary donations to be used to purchase new helmets. Drop your donation off at the police department.