Psychosocial factors associated with the use of bicycle helmets among children in counties with and without helmet use laws (original) (raw)

1994, The Journal of Pediatrics

Studies have demonstrated that bicycle-related head injuries are a serious threat to children and that bicycle helmets are a readily available, effective preventive measure. 14 In the absence of specific promotional campaigns, estimates of helmet use range from 0% to 13% by self-report 5-8 and 0% to 19% by observational studies. 9"12 A community-wide bicycle helmet campaign in Seattle, Wash., 9 documented an increase in helmet use from 5% before the campaign to 16% afterward (compared with an increase from 1% to 3% in a comparison community). A helmet use law in Howard County, Md. s, lO, 15 resulted in increases in observed helmet use from 4% before passage of the law to 47% afterward 1°