Boys are more likely than girls or adults to ride a bicycle without a helmet, according to a new QUT report into compliance with bicycle helmet laws in Queensland.
Professor Narelle Haworth, director of QUT’s Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q), said the first-of-its kind study used video recordings of more than 27,000 bicycle riders across 17 sites in Queensland to measure helmet wearing rates.
“Overall, the level of compliance with the laws was very high with more than 98 per cent of the 27,000 riders wearing helmets,” Professor Haworth said.
But Professor Haworth said while these results were very positive, certain groups of riders were found to be more likely to ride without a helmet, highlighting high risk groups.
“For example, only about 60 per cent of boys riding alone on 50km/h or 60km/h roads in the afternoon were wearing a helmet,” she said.
“Given that studies show bicycle helmets reduce the likelihood of a rider sustaining a head or brain injury when involved in a crash, it is essential that we understand the characteristics of those who don’t wear helmets to be able to target educational campaigns and enforcement activities to those riders.”
The study found that road bike riders had the highest helmet-wearing rate (99.9 per cent).
Professor Haworth said the time of day also influenced helmet-wearing rates significantly, the worst times being afternoons.
“When comparing different locations, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast riders were less compliant compared to riders in Brisbane and Rockhampton,” she said.
She said based on the results the characteristics of riders, bicycles and riding locations were combined to identify the best possible and worst possible combinations for compliance with helmet laws.
“In the best-case scenario, 100 per cent compliance was found for lycra-clad females on road bikes in a group, travelling between 5am and 9am on a Rockhampton road with a posted speed limit of 70km/h or more.
“On the other hand, the worst possible combination with a 55 per cent probability of not wearing a helmet was boys wearing everyday clothing and riding a mountain bike alone during 1pm and 5pm on a 60km/h Sunshine Coast road.”
Professor Haworth said although the compliance with helmet wearing laws was generally very high, the lower helmet-wearing rate of boys should be treated as important to ensure future generations are protected from head injuries.
Coinciding with the United Nations Global Road Safety Week and Australia’s Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week, CARRS-Q is launching a Queensland-wide initiative titled Watch your Pace when Sharing Space in Samford Village on Friday May 12.
This event will provide the opportunity to remind the community about sharing the road to improve interaction between all road users. As part of the event, there will be face painting, a sausage sizzle and cupcakes, together with interactive displays by RACQ, Kidsafe, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Police.
EVENT:
WHAT: Free community road safety event
WHEN: Friday May 12, 2-5pm
WHERE: John Scott Park, Station Rd, Samford Village
Media contact:
Sandra Hutchinson, QUT Media (Tue, Wed), 07 3138 9449 or media@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
