More than 100 Canadians, half of them children under the age of 15, die
every year because of bicycle injuries. Head injuries cause 75% of these
deaths. Research has shown that bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of serious
head injury by up to 85 percent. Although the use of bicycle helmets has been
increased by promotional interventions, the level of helmet use remains low
among adolescents, varying from seven to 17 percent.
The purpose of this study was to describe bicycle and helmet use in an
adolescent population in Winnipeg and to assess the factors related to helmet
use. The proportion of adolescents in Winnipeg exposed to the risks associated
with bicycle riding was determined partially by a direct observation study of
cyclists commuting to school and from an analysis of data from a cross-sectional
self-administered questionnaire.
The prevalence of bicycle use in Winnipeg adolescents commuting to
school by direct observation was 8.4 percent ( 95% Cl 8.0-8.8). Of the 274
bicycle riders, 12.8% (95% Cl 8.6 - 17.0) were observed wearing helmets. The
self-reported questionnaire found that 67.4% of students rode their bicycles in
the 30 days preceding the survey. Helmet use in the last 30 days was reported
by 14.5% of cyclists.
Ownership of bicycle helmets was found to be 43.6% and varied between
grade groups and subregions of Winnipeg. Helmet ownership is higher in middle
to high income subregions of Winnipeg, and lower in a low income subregion
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