Citation

Molina-García J, Queralt A. J. Phys. Act. Health 2016; 13(6): 649-653.

Affiliation

Dept of Teaching of Musical, Visual and Corporal Expression. University of Valencia, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/jpah.2015-0566

PMID

26800570

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This paper analyzes changes in the frequency of cycling to school and helmet wearing after the introduction of a mandatory helmet law, and attempts to identify factors associated with the acceptance of helmet use.

METHODS: A mixed-method study was designed with a seven-month follow-up period (April 2014-November 2014). The initial sample included 262 students (aged 12 to 16 years) from Valencia, Spain. The data were collected by questionnaire and two focus-group interviews were conducted.

RESULTS: No significant changes in cycling-to-school behavior were found during the study period. Cycle helmet use improved, especially among boys, those who used their own bike, and among adolescents who lived within 2 km of school (P < 0.05 in all cases). The most common reasons given for not using a helmet were social factors. Peer-group pressure had a negative influence on helmet use among adolescents. Participants also indicated that helmet use is inconvenient, in particular among students who used the public bicycle-sharing program.

CONCLUSION: The implementation of the helmet-use law did not have a negative impact on the frequency of cycling to school. Our findings provide an empirical basis for designing educational interventions and programs to increase helmet use among adolescents.

Language: en