SAN BERNARDINO, CA, June 3, 1999 -- The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) says Inland Empire Health Plan’s "Rad Rider – The Safety Cycler" is "the best graphic-based helmet site on the Web!"

After reviewing the site, BHSI’s Director Randy Swart told IEHP, "We needed a site like this one and I am glad that your organization has done it."

"The story line of the (Rad Rider bicycle safety) comic has everything it needs. And a whole page for the hero to get his helmet on correctly! This site is totally cool and absolutely graphic. Everything moves and the advanced graphics are worth the visit. This is a dynamite site!" proclaimed Swart.

"We are very proud the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute has recognized IEHP’s innovative efforts to educate children about bicycle safety through our purposely cool and actively graphic Rad Rider Web site," responded Richard Bruno, IEHP’s chief executive officer. "IEHP hopes this recognition by the BHSI will encourage more kids and their parents in the Inland Empire and across the nation to visit our Rad Rider Web site at www.radrider.com to learn about the importance of wearing a bike helmet."

BHSI is a non-profit, all-volunteer program of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association based in Arlington, VA that advocates greater use of bicycle helmets to prevent injuries.

On their own Web site, www.helmets.org, BHSI states, "We are pleased that there are now two sites on the Internet with the graphics pizzazz for young riders: Rad Rider (sponsored by IEHP) and Cranium Canyon (co-sponsored by McDonalds and the Consumer Product Safety Commission)."

The Rad Rider Web site is part of IEHP’s Rad Rider Bicycle Safety Program that has distributed at local schools, health fairs, and community events some 40,000 bicycle helmets at no cost to Inland Empire children ages 5 -14 years.

Previously, IEHP’s Rad Rider Bicycle Safety Program has earned a 1998 National Health Information Award and commendations from the California State Assembly, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, and Riverside County Sheriff.

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