The authors of this paper, in the spring of 1997, evaluated the effectiveness of a 1997 Florida law requiring helmet use by all bicyclists under the age of 16 years. 64 Florida counties enacted the bicycle helmet-use law, while 3 other counties opted out. Using a cross-sectional study design, unobtrusive observations were conducted at bicycle racks at public elementary schools statewide. The study determined that Florida children riding bicycles in counties where the state helmet-use law was in place were twice as likely to wear helmets as children in counties without the law. Helmet use by children of all racial groups exceeded 60% under the law. No significant difference in use by gender was found. This data supports the positive influence of a law on bicycle helmet use among children. The data reinforces the Healthy People 2010 objective that all 50 states adopt such a law for children to increase helmet use and reduce brain injury. (Author/publisher)
Abstract