Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Co-captain Callan Ward has joined the NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay to launch a new safety campaign aimed at young bike riders this holiday season.

Ward features in video urging children to wear helmets when riding their bikes, scooters, skateboards or rollerblades this summer.

“It goes without saying that whenever you get out on your wheels, you need to be wearing a helmet as it only takes a split second for something to go wrong," Ward said.

“I always wear my helmet and it’s important that all children use their Christmas presents with the right safety gear.

“The video delivers a serious safety message to kids in a light hearted way and I am extremely proud to be partnering with the NSW Government to keep our kids safe this holiday season.”

Mr Gay said role models like Callan Ward could have an important impact on children's behaviour.

"To make it as easy as possible to get the right message to kids we’ve produced a safety helmet video featuring Callan which shows kids that wearing a helmet is ‘cool’ as well as teaching them how to correctly fit and secure one," he said.

“There are kids who will get their first set of wheels this Christmas, and my message to parents is - sit down with them and have a talk.

“We see about 40 children taken to hospital with serious injuries from bicycle crashes every year and close to half are not wearing a helmet.

“This is devastating when you think a child not wearing a helmet is 50 per cent more likely to suffer a head injury in a crash than a child wearing one."