Bicyclist head injury prevention by helmets and mandatory wearing legislation in Victoria, Australia. Paper based on a Hunterian Lecture given at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Harrogate, April 21, 199...

After a decade of promotion and education, legislation for mandatory helmet wearing by bicyclists in Victoria was introduced on 1 July 1990. The legislation was a world first. Comparison of 1710 bicyclists casualties wearing and not wearing helmets has demonstrated that wearing helmets certified to the Australian Standard reduces the head injury risk by at least 39% and lessons head injury severity. Simulated impact testing of helmets showed that they provide protection in most impacts including collisions involving a motor vehicle. Legislation for mandatory helmet wearing in Victoria has led to increased wearing rates and marked reductions in bicylists fatalities and head injuries. The Victorian experience gives substantial support to the introduction of legislation for mandatory helmet wearing by bicyclists.