Research Bicycle helmets in New Zealand

figure 1. adult cyclist head injuries versus helmet use following crashes not involving motor vehicles in new zealand



sikhs wearing turban exempt having wear helmet (christchurch example)

research on helmet law s effects in new zealand has produced mixed outcomes.

a 1999 study concluded helmet law has been effective road safety intervention has led 19% (90% ci: 14, 23%) reduction in head injury cyclists on first 3 years.

in study ministry of transport published in 1999, researchers estimated 1990 1996, increase in helmet-wearing after passage of law reduced head injuries between 24 , 32% in non-motor vehicle crashes, , 20% in motor vehicle crashes.

a 2001 study robinson re-evaluated data, finding reduction in head injuries per limb injuries, crashes not involving motor vehicles injuries, part of larger downward time trend , bore no direct correlation dramatic increase in helmet-wearing following introduction of helmet law. robinson concluded: because large increases in wearing helmet laws have not resulted in obvious change on , above existing trends, helmet laws , major helmet promotion campaigns prove less beneficial , less cost effective proven road-safety measures. see figure 1.

a 2002 study taylor , scuffham, assessed cost of new zealand helmet law against hospital admissions averted , social costs of debilitating head injury, did not include costs associated fatalities or potentially lifelong health care, found law cost-effective 5- 12-year-old age group , large costs law imposed on adult (>19 years) cyclists. taylor , scuffham cautioned social costs saved due fewer head injuries understate true costs... our estimates of net benefit helmet wearing understated .

research massey university in 2006 found compulsory bicycle helmet laws led lower uptake of cycling, principally aesthetic reasons.

a 2010 study found declining trend in rate of traumatic brain injuries among cyclists 1988-91 1996-99. however, unclear whether reflects effectiveness of mandatory all-age cycle helmet law implemented in january 1994 or reflects general decline in road injuries during period. same study noted of particular concern children , adolescents have experienced greatest increase in risk of cycling injuries despite substantial decline in amount of cycling on past 2 decades. , safety in numbers phenomenon suggests risk profile of cyclists may improve if more people cycle. in new zealand, overall travel mode share cycling declined steadily 4% in 1989 1% in 2006.

a study clarke published in new zealand medical journal in 2012 reported pre-law (in 1990) cyclist deaths quarter of pedestrians in number, in 2006–09, equivalent figure near 50% when adjusted changes hours cycled , walked, 20% higher risk per hour of bicycle use. paper finds helmet law has failed in aspects of promoting cycling, safety, health, accident compensation, environmental issues , civil liberties. 2013 conference paper wang et al. argues due weakness in analysis , choice of data – particularly four-year absence of data around time helmet laws introduced clarke s conclusion highly questionable if not misleading . clarke replied additional information supporting findings.

australian journalist chris gillham compiled analysis of data otago university , ministry of transport, showing marked decline in cycling participation following helmet law introduction in 1994. @ same time number of cyclists aged on 5 years approximately halved, injury rate approximately doubled. noting both decline in numbers , increase in injury rate preceded law s introduction @ start of 1994, possibly attributable fact heavy promotion of helmets had been ongoing in lead-up law s introduction. phenomenon of helmet promotion leading reduction in cycling has been witnessed in several countries. see figure 2.