Quirke, M.B. and McGilloway, Sinéad and Comiskey, C.M. and Wynne, C. and O'Sullivan, K. (2013) Bicycle Helmet Wearing in a Sample of Urban Disadvantaged Primary School Children. Irish Medical Journal, 106 (4). pp. 102-104. ISSN 0790-2905

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Abstract

Bicycle helmet wearing is currently not legally enforced in Ireland and little is known about the self-reported practice amongst young children. The principal aim of this study was to assess self-reported helmet wearing amongst a sample (n=314) of primary school children (aged 8-13 years) attending disadvantaged schools in Dublin. Approximately 86% of the sample owned a bike and provided a response to the question on helmet use. The findings indicate that helmet wearing is not a widespread practice (50.4%; 136/270 report never wearing helmets). As children get older, reported practice is also less likely with 67% (27/40) of 12/13 year-olds compared to 38% (31/81) of 8/9 year-olds reporting never wearing protective headgear. Regardless of age, more girls (61%; 82/135) than boys (39%; 52/135) indicated always/sometimes using helmets when cycling. Conversely, the findings show that (mandatory) seatbelt wearing is standard practice for the majority (93%; 252/270). The findings relating to helmet wearing add further to the debate around the mandatory introduction of protective headgear for cyclists.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Bicycle Helmet; Wearing; ; Urban; Disadvantaged; Children; Cycling Safety;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	6205
Depositing User:	Dr. Sinéad McGilloway
Date Deposited:	17 Jun 2015 15:06
Journal or Publication Title:	Irish Medical Journal
Publisher:	Irish Medical Organisation
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://www.imj.ie
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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