The aim of the study was to make a survey of the usage of bicycle helmets in Sweden and to estimate the changes in usage from one year to another. This report shows the results from the measurements during 1988 and 1989. The usage of helmets was measured by observational studies carried out at a number of sites in Sweden. The measurements were concentrated on the following groups: small children (up to 10 years), nine-year school pupils, cyclists going to and from work and cyclists using public cycle paths. The results of 1988 show that approximately 20% of the small children and approximately 5% of the nine-year school pupils wore bicycle helmets. Among cyclists going to and from work and cyclists observed on public bicycle paths scarcely 2% and 3%, respectively, wore helmets. The measurements of 1989 show a striking increase in the use of helmets among children, where approximately 30% of the small children and approximately 14% of the nine-year school pupils wore helmets this specific year. For other groups of cyclists usage was unchanged. (A)
Abstract