Law compliance and helmet use among cyclists in New South Wales.

There is very little available information about bicyclist behaviour in relation to safe practices and the law in New South Wales. It is particularly important at this point in time prior to the introduction of compulsory helmet wearing for adult cyclists in New South Wales on January 1st, 1991. Helmet wearing and law compliance rates were monitored in the last week of September, 1990, in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, and ten major rural centres. Altogether, 12,889 cyclists were observed in a survey conducted in four parts: the Rural Survey, directed at cyclists in centres outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area; the Sydney Survey, directed at a representative sample of cyclists in Sydney; the Supplementary Survey, directed at special target areas such as cycling paths and parks; and, the School Survey, directed at children arriving at and departing from school. The following rate of occurrence per behaviour was observed: Helmet wearing 26%; Failure to make arm signals 92%; Ride across pedestrian crossing 82%; No lights at night 72%; No rear reflector 51%; Fail to stop for red traffic light 44%; Riding on the footpath 34%; Wrong side ofthe road 11%; Bicycle unstable (heavy object) 1%; Doubling 1%; No hands 1%; Three abreast or more 1%. The results are of special relevance to the introduction of compulsory helmet wearing in 1991 and to any associated law enforcement initiatives. Based on the Victorian experience with the introduction of compulsory helmets, a dramatic increase in helmet wearing rates is anticipated in 1991. Law enforcement campaigns can be guided by the data obtained in this survey but with certain cautions. This survey did not seek to determine why cyclists break the rules of the road. It may well be the case that certain rules are broken by cyclists in the interest of greater safety. Riding on the footpath may fall into this category. Other rule-breaking behaviour by cyclists may involve increased risks. Given that accident rates for adults are higher in the evening hours, a case can be made for giving priority to the task of increasing the use of lights at night. 72% of the 900 cyclists, observed riding after dark, did not have lights at the front or back.