Since 1988, observational studies of bicycle helmet usage in Sweden have been carried out annually by the VTI. The 1995 study was the eighth in this series and was sponsored by the Swedish National Road Administration (SNRA). The aim of the measurements is mainly to estimate the changes in bicycle helmet usage in Sweden from one year to another. The measurements were carried out through observations of cyclists in 21 municipalities in Sweden, at 160 measurement sites in all. Measurements were carried out during the first two weeks in September and each site was observed for approximately two hours, either in the morning or in the afternoon. The same municipalities and sites have been used since the start in 1988. The 1995 study contains data from all the municipalities and sites and more than 46,000 cyclists were observed. The results show that there seems to be an upward trend in wearing rates among both children and adults, with the exception of children (up to 10 years) where there seems to be a stagnation and even a reduction in wearing rates. The total average wearing rate for both adults and children is 14%, which is an increase compared with 1994. (A)
Abstract