Based upon a review of the literature, claims that bicycle helmets help prevent injury and should be mandated by legislation. Provides evidence of the effectiveness of helmets as well as problems associated with using them. Contains 17 references. (MOK)

Argues for a child-centered approach to thinking about child cycling accidents. Helmets instill a false sense of safety in children and adults, while a profound change in the habits of adults is the only strategy that can protect children from accidents. Suggests steps for local analysis of the problem of cycling accidents. (MOK)

Guidelines to help parents explain traffic safety to children cover the following: school bus safety (e.g., remain seated, do not shout); walking (e.g., obey traffic signals, cross at crosswalks); driving (e.g., wear seatbelts, enter and exit from the curb side); and biking (e.g., wear helmets, do not ride at night). (SM)

This document provides statistical information on traffic accidents involving U.S. bicyclists. Data include: (1) trends in pedalcyclist and total traffic fatalities, 1991-2001; (2) non-occupant traffic fatalities, 1991-2001; (3) pedalcyclists killed and injured, and fatality and injury rates, by age and sex, 2000 [2001 population data by age group…

This document provides statistical information on traffic accidents involving U.S. bicyclists. Data include: (1) trends in pedalcyclist and total traffic fatalities, 1990-2000; (2) non-occupant traffic fatalities, 1990-2000; (3) pedalcyclists killed and injured, and fatality and injury rates, by age and sex, 2000; and (4) pedalcyclist traffic…

This document provides statistical information on U.S. motor vehicle and traffic safety. Data include: (1) motor vehicle occupants and non-occupants killed and injured, 1991-2001; (2) persons killed and injured, and fatality and injury rates, 1991-2001; (3) restraint use rates for passenger car occupants in fatal crashes, 1991 and 2001; (4)…

This document provides statistical information on U.S. motor vehicle and traffic safety. Data include: (1) motor vehicle occupants and non-occupants killed and injured, 1990-2000; (2) persons killed and injured, and fatality and injury rates, 1990-2000; (3) restraint use rates for passenger car occupants in fatal crashes, 1990 and 2000; (4)…

This paper reports on a Santa Barbara, California study to determine the need for establishing a minimum age for bicyclists using the public roadways, examining the proposition that children below a certain age are developmentally unable to perform safely in traffic. Data on the disproportionate incidence of accident involvement among young…

Since 1969 the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has concentrated on researching, demonstrating, and communicating to the public methods of reducing highway losses. The Institute has established a framework to classify the nature of each kind of loss (human, vehicle and equipment, and environment) in relation to the three phases of the crash…