Citation

Gillham C, Rissel C. World Transp. Policy Pract. 2015; 21(1): 30-36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Eco-Logica)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Studies of child and teenage cyclist injury rates in the United States (US) consistently report a downturn since mandatory bicycle helmet laws were introduced in various states and municipalities during the 1990s and progressively since. However, the decrease in children’s injury rates may be related to decreases in children’s cycling participation. This study examines US children’s cycling participation since 1995, children’s injuries and concussion injuries and, as a proxy for injuries, children’s cycling fatalities by states with bicycle helmet laws and those without. Data examined are publicly available and include the US Census Bureau report on Participation in Selected Sports Activities, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Cycling participation by children aged 7-17 years declined significantly from 1995 to 2012, which was matched by a decline in all-body injuries. Concussion injuries did not decline despite some form of helmet legislation being gradually introduced for children in 45% of jurisdictions across the US. There was no reduction in cycling fatalities among children in those states with helmet laws compared with those without such laws. Helmet legislation may have contributed to the decline in children’s cycling participation over time, but without improvements in cycling safety at a population level.

Language: en