Firefighters in certain areas will issue 'Safe Rider Citations' to the helmeted youngsters, entitling them to a free children’s meal in McDonalds. The initiative will apply to bikes, scooters, rollerskates and skateboards.
Firefighters in Key Peninsula, Cowlitz and Gig Harbour will be handing out the vouchers. The initiative is being partially sponsored by the Safe Kids Coalitions of Washington, as well as McDonalds.
Trying to counter one health & safety epidemic (bicycle safety) with another (fast food & obesity) may seem like a strange move, but let’s hope the freshly-fed kids will cycle or skate off those empty calories.
The campaign marks another chapter in America's ongoing love/hate relationship with the humble Happy Meal. In San Francisco, fast food restaurants have been banned since late 2011 from including free toys with meals that don’t comply with nutritional standards. McDonalds charge 10 cent, donated to charity, for the Happy Meal toys instead.
(Image source)
