About Us

Mission

Life is precious.

Heads Smart works to create the next generation of helmet-wearing safe cyclists through education, advocacy and the distribution of free helmets to qualifying individuals.

Our Story

Born from personal experience, Heads Smart inspires helmet use through real stories, education, and advocacy to keep every rider safe.

Over thirty years ago, Heads Smart Co-Chair, Marsha Rickles, lost her seven-year old son, Jonathon, to severe head trauma sustained in a bicycle collision with a car. Supported by National Council of Jewish Women, she ran a successful educational and advocacy campaign that eventually led to the passing of a law mandating helmets for children 16 and younger in the state of New Jersey where she lived.

Marsha has brought her life saving efforts to south Florida with the continued support of NCJW and her Co-chair, Ilene Leefer, an avid cyclist whose life was saved by her helmet when she took a serious fall from her bike.

Jonathon Rickles

Leadership

Co-Chairs Marsha Rickles and Ilene Leefer bring first hand experience with the life-saving potential of helmets and their background in education to engage students, parents, educators, and communities.

Co-Chair

Marsha Rickles

Marsha has been an advocate for bicycle and helmet safety since 1988 when her son Jonathon was killed by a car when riding his bike without a helmet. She spends her time educating others on why helmets are so critical. Marsha is also a Spanish and ESL teacher currently volunteering her time to teach in her community. She is also a published author and public relations executive.

Co-Chair

Ilene Leefer

An attorney and educator by profession, Ilene is a distance road cyclist splitting her cycling time between the flats of Florida and the hills of Pittsburgh, PA. She is a ride leader for both Boca Raton Bicycle Club in Florida and Premier Bicycle Club in Pittsburgh as well as a certified helmet fitter.