A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT BICYCLE HELMET LAWS IN 3 NEW YORK CITY SUBURBS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 different bicycle helmet laws. A direct observational study of nearly 1000 bicyclists at 20 matched sites in each of 3 contiguous counties (Rockland and Westchester in New York and Fairfield in Connecticut) was carried out. Rockland's bicycle helmet law requires approved helmets for all cyclists regardless of age; Westchester's, by state law, requires cyclists younger than 14 years to wear helmets; and Fairfield's, also by state law, requires cyclists younger than 12 years to wear helmets when riding on highways. Results show that Rockland cyclists had the highest helmet use rate (35%), followed by Westchester (24%) and Fairfield (14%) cyclists. As a subgroup, teenagers used helmets the least, a trend that was seen in all 3 counties. This study suggests a positive effect of bicycle helmet legislation with no age limitation.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00900036
• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Health Association

  800 I Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001-3710
• Authors:
  • Puder, D R
  • Visintainer, P
  • Spitzer, D
  • Casal, D
• Publication Date: 1999-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1736-38
• Serial:
  • American Journal of Public Health
  • Volume: 89
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: American Public Health Association
  • ISSN: 0090-0036
  • EISSN: 1541-0048
  • Serial URL: http://ajph.aphapublications.org/loi/ajph

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle helmets; Bicycle travel; Bicycling; Highway transportation; Laws and legislation; Safety equipment; State laws; Traffic safety
• Geographic Terms: New York Metropolitan Area; United States
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00792662
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 30 2000 12:00AM