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  • Bicycle helmet prevalence two years after the introduction of mandatory use legislation for under 18 year olds in Alberta, Canada

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Bicycle helmet prevalence two years after the introduction of mandatory use legislation for under 18 year olds in Alberta, Canada
  1. B E Hagel1,
  2. J W Rizkallah2,
  3. A Lamy3,
  4. K L Belton3,
  5. G S Jhangri4,
  6. N Cherry4,
  7. B H Rowe2,4
  1. 1Departments of Paediatrics and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
  2. 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Canada
  3. 3Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Canada
  4. 4Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Canada
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr B Hagel
 Departments of Paediatrics and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta Children’s Hospital, 1820 Richmond Road SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2T 5C7; brent.hagel{at}calgaryhealthregion.ca

Abstract

Objective: To determine changes in helmet use in cyclists following the introduction of a bicycle helmet law for children under age 18.

Methods: Cyclists were observed by two independent observers from July to August 2004 (post-legislation) in Edmonton, Alberta. The data were compared with a similar survey completed at the same locations and days in July to August 2000 (pre-legislation). Data were collected for 271 cyclists in 2004 and 699 cyclists in 2000.

Results: The overall prevalence of helmet use increased from 43% (95% CI 39 to 47%) in 2000 to 53% (95% CI 47 to 59%) in 2004. Helmet use increased in those under 18, but did not change in those 18 and older. In the cluster adjusted multivariate Poisson regression model, the prevalence of helmet use significantly increased for those under age 18 (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) 3.69, 95% CI 2.65 to 5.14), but not for those 18 years and older (APR 1.17, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.43).

Conclusion: Extension of legislation to all age groups should be considered.

  • legislation
  • repeat cross sectional survey
  • bicycle helmet

https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2006.012112

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests none.

    • Field work conducted while Dr Hagel was with the Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta.

      These results were presented, in part, at the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians Annual Meeting in Edmonton, AB, 29 May–1 June 2005 the Canadian Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference in Halifax, NS, 6–8 November 2005, and the 8th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, Durban, South Africa, 2–5 April 2006.