Bicycling is a popular recreational activity and a primary mode of transport for children in the U.S., yet about 300 children die and 430,000 are injured annually from injuries sustained while riding bicycles. Wearing a bicycle helmet is an important countermeasure, as it reduces the risk of serious brain injury by up to 85%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have funded state health departments to conduct bicycle helmet programs, and their effectiveness has been evaluated by monitoring community bicycle helmet use. Although it would appear that measuring bicycle helmet use is easy, it is actually neither simple nor straightforward. In this article, the authors describe what they have learned about assessing helmet use and what methods have been most useful. Several key practical decisions that define the current CDC position on helmet use assessment are also detailed. (Author/publisher)
Abstract