Fashion meets function for five Tauranga and Western Bay students and one teacher who will be cycling, scooting, and skating safely in style after being presented with their new professionally painted helmets.

They are all category winners in the annual Design your Own Helmet competition and had their winning creations airbrushed onto their new helmets by artist Anthony Brodie Airbrushing.

With over 900 entries and some wonderful creativity on display, the judges had a hard job on their hands to agree on the winning designs, which included a space scene, some very cute puppies, and a homage to Paris Saint-Germain Football Club.

The competition is organised by Travel Safe, who work alongside communities at a grassroots level to improve road safety and active transport across Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty.

Tauranga City Council Director of Transport Brendan Bisley says the competition, now in its tenth year, is a fun way to keep cycle safety front of mind for local students.

'Every year our Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty schools embrace this competition, and we are always flooded with entries. It gives students a chance to get creative while reiterating the importance of wearing a helmet,” says Brendan.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Cycleways Manager, Scott Parker says the great thing about helmets these days is that there's more technology going into helmet design, protection and comfort to encourage habitual use, in the same way that motorcycle helmets have evolved over time.

'Even the cheapest helmets are far more comfortable and safer than what they ever used to be – so there's no excuse for not wearing one.”

Travel Safe Team Leader Sonia Lynds says the competition presents a timely reminder for people to not only wear their helmets but to double check their quality and fit.

'Remember to check your helmet's shell, styrofoam, and straps regularly for signs of wear or damage, and ensure your helmet has the correct standards safety approved sticker.

'Helmets are only fully effective if they fit well so we recommend using the two-four-one method to fit your helmet correctly: two fingers between your helmet and eyebrows, four fingers made into V shapes along the straps either side of your ears, and one finger between your buckle and chin.”

The competition will reopen again in October this year. Keep an eye on Travel Safe's Facebook page for details.