The mandatory bicycle helmet wearing law was implemented in the Australian State of Victoria on 1 July 1990. The law has been successful in building on past efforts to promote helmet use. This was realized by bringing helmet wearing rates to new high levels for all cyclist age groups, both in Melbourne and in regional cities. The law introduction has been accompanied by an immediate large reduction in the number of bicyclists with head injuries. Apparently, this has been achieved through: (1) a reduction in the number of cyclists involved in crashes. This was caused at least partly by a decrease in bicycle use; and (2) through a reduction in the risk of head injury of cyclists involved in crashes. Increases in helmet wearing rates in Melbourne and decreases in head injury risk have continued for two years after the law introduction. (A)
Samenvatting