Boy, 12, hit by car while cycling

A 12-year-old boyreceived only minor injuries after shattering a car's windshield with his head during a collision between his bicycle and a car in Ottawa's east end.

The boy, who was visiting from Virginia, was hit while crossing Ogilvie Road at Elmlea Gateat about 11:30 a.m. Friday, said Ottawa Paramedic Service spokesman Steve Leu.

At the time, he was following a friend on another bicycle.

He hit the windshield, then was thrown about two car-lengths onto the road surface, a paramedic service release said.

The boy was originally wearing a helmet, but the straps weren't done up.

"At the time of impact with the windshield, it was not there," Leu said.

He added that investigators determined that by examining the windshield, and finding a head-shaped imprint and lots of hair embedded in the fractured glass.

Nevertheless, the boy's head injuries didn't seem that serious and he didn't appear to break any bones, Leu said.

"He's a very lucky guy. He seems to be doing quite well."

The boy was examined in hospital and released.

Ottawa police investigated, but no charges were expected in the incident.

Leu said many children fail to do up the straps of their helmets, and the Ottawa Paramedic Service warns that the helmets don't offer effective protection if not worn properly.