Impact of Age, Location, and Bicycle Style on Helmet Usage by Adults

The objective of this article was to describe current patterns of bicycle helmet usage in a university community using a direct observation approach. Cyclists in a university community were observed in 2010 and 2011. The authors identified 6 locations in Athens, Georgia, and recorded the type of bicycle, age group, sex, and helmet usage of passing cyclists. The authors performed univariate and multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of helmet usage. The authors observed 433 cyclists: 74 percent male, 74 percent college age, and 45 percent of whom wore a helmet. Helmet usage varied by bicycle type, location of observation, and age group. Independent predictors of bike helmet were on-campus location (0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22?0.66), college-age rider (0.29, 95% CI: 0.15?0.54), and use of a city or leisure bike (0.39, 95% CI: 0.23?0.65). College-age riders, riders on campus, and those riding a city or leisure-style bike are less likely to wear a helmet. Health promotion efforts aimed at increasing helmet usage should target these groups.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2011.644255
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/49192340
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Ebell, Mark H
  • Desai, Koosh
• Publication Date: 2012-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 150-154
• Serial:
  • Traffic Injury Prevention
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1538-9588
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/15389588.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycling; College students; Helmet use; Universities and colleges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bicycle safety
• Geographic Terms: Athens (Georgia)
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01376497
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 27 2012 10:07AM