The effect of laws mandating bicycle helmet use

Five Canadian provinces have introduced laws mandating the use of bicycle helmets in a direct attempt to lower the incidence of bicycle-related deaths, 75% of which are due to head injury. John LeBlanc and colleagues used trained observers to identify the rates of helmet use in Halifax before, during and after 1997, when helmet legislation was introduced in Nova Scotia. The authors also looked at trends in head-injury rates during the same period.

The authors found that the rate of helmet use rose, from 36% in 1995 to 75% in 1997 and 84% in 1999. The proportion of injured cyclists with head injuries decreased by about half from 1995/96 to 1998/99 (1.6% v. 3.6%).

In a related commentary, Mary Chipman notes that, although the rate of helmet use increased, the number of cyclists dropped after the legislation was passed. She suggests combining legislation with other strategies (such as bike paths) to promote safe cycling.

p. 592 Effect of legislation on the use of bicycle helmets
— J.C. LeBlanc et al

p. 602 Hats off (or not?) to helmet legislation
— M.L. Chipman

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