BICYCLE HELMET USAGE RATES IN VICTORIA: 1990 - 1991 AND OTHER BICYCLE SAFETY FACTORS

Legislation making it compulsory for all cyclists to wear an approved bicycle helmet while riding in public places came into effect in Victoria on 1 July 1990. This report documents changes in helmet usage by students cycling to school, adult commuter cyclists and recreational cyclists over the period March 1990 to March 1991. There are two parts. The first, based on large sample surveys conducted in March 1990 and March 1991, updates annual figures on helmet usage published previously (Wise, 1989), and provides data on the use of other bicycle safety factors, such as helmet fastening and conspicuity in 1991. The second part uses additional data from small sample surveys conducted in July and November 1990 to assess the more immediate effect of the legislation. The initial response to the legislation was an increase in helmet wearing in all places by all groups of cyclists. There was also an increase in helmet carrying rate. The number of cyclists observed was approximately 15% lower, possibly due to a combination of changes in community activity due to the recession plus people stopping riding due to the need to wear helmets. Trends in helmet wearing after July were positive except for cyclists at secondary school sites in Melbourne. Carrying rate was higher than wearing rate for females at these sites.