Legislation for the mandatory use of bicycle helmets is controversial. The analysis presented in this paper examines the ratio of cycling-related head injuries using hospital admissions data in New South Wales. Results indicate there was already a fall in the ratio of head to arm injuries before the mandatory helmet legislation was introduced in 1991. After the introduction of bicycle helmet legislation, there was a continued but declining reduction in the ratio of head injuries relative to arm injuries for most age groups. (a).
Abstract