This report describes a nation-wide observation survey of cyclist helmet wearing that was conducted in 2002 by TRL. Previous cycle helmet surveys had been undertaken in 1994, 1996 and 1999 on major built-up roads. In 1994, 16% of cyclists were wearing helmets. The wearing rate increased by a small but statistically significant amount in 1996, to 17.6% and increased further to 21.8% in 1999. This was due to an increase in the number of adults wearing cycle helmets, with no significant increase amongst children. In 1999, additional observations were carried out on minor built-up roads, where 8.2% of cyclists were wearing helmets. The analyses of the 2002 observations on major and minor built-up roads were carried out independently, and the results cannot be combined to give overall rates. However, they show that wearing rates on major built up roads were significantly higher for adults (25.7%) and children (15.3%) than those on the minor built-up roads (10.9% for adults and 6.5% for children).The wearing rate among adults had increased on both types of road since 1999, whereas there was no significant change in the wearing rate among children. (Author/publisher)
Abstract