Of 516 bicyclists interviewed, 19 percent owned helmets but only eight percent were wearing them. Riders wearing helmets were more highly educated and reported higher car seat belt use. Helmets afford protection from bicycling head injuries. (Author/BJV)

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)

The effectiveness of engineering and policy interventions in reducing bicycle accidents on the campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara was investigated. None of the bikeway modifications were found to have been effective in reducing bicycle accidents. (Author/GDC)

This unit is designed to provide driver educators with information for teaching automobile drivers about the traffic-mix problem between bicycles and motor vehicles on roadways. The purpose of the unit is to improve the safety of bicyclists on North Carolina highways and help to decrease the number of bicycle deaths and injuries caused by traffic…

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…

Provides advice on teaching children safe pedestrian and bicycling skills to reduce accidents caused by mistakes made in crossing streets. Provides an interactive safe-walker's story, tips for walking safely, step-by-step instructions for safe street crossing, bicycle safety information, a quiz for safe biking, and guidelines to ensure a proper…

This guide is designed to train elementary students in the riding skills, hazard identification, and traffic analysis necessary for safe bicycling under nearly all urban traffic and roadway conditions. The training manual is divided into four sections. The Instructor's Manual presents brief introductions, background information, and detailed…

The K-2 MORE HEALTH community bicycle safety education program was conducted in nine Florida elementary schools, offering interactive education sessions and reduced-cost bicycle helmets. Researchers reviewed classroom teacher evaluations and observed helmet use at the schools. Results indicated that the program affected helmet use in participating…

Designed for use by trained and certified instructors of a voluntary bicycle driver training course, this handbook provides materials for eight one-hour sessions for beginners or experienced bicyclists. Part 1, Instructor's Guidelines, discusses course objectives, organization, and content; instruction methods; and audiovisual materials. Part 2…

Designed to emphasize the concept of the bicycle driver vs. the popular term, bicycle rider, this manual contains guidelines on bicycle safety, addressing itself both to parents and children. The main section topics are: (1) parent responsibility; (2) choosing a bicycle, fitting it to the child, and learning to drive; (3) bicycle equipment,…

Study evaluated bicycling habits and helmet use in 100 university students. Only 31 owned helmets, and 17 wore them during most trips. Helmet ownership was most strongly associated with previous injuries. Ethnicity and possession of bicycle injury insurance were also factors. Perceived risk was an important factor in helmet use. (SM)

This instructor's manual is designed for use by an experienced cyclist to teach a 10-week, 30-hour course. The course provides on-bike and classroom instruction in defensive maneuvers in traffic, long-distance riding, health and physiology, bike maintenance, legal considerations of biking, and route selection. Participants should be at least…

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…