Safety headgear halves the rate of head injuries suffered by Queensland cyclists, says report

Safety headgear halves the rate of head injuries suffered by Queensland cyclists, according to a new report by Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

A review of a scientifically rigorous research found bicycle helmets that met national standards protected against head, brain and facial injuries, said Professor Narelle Haworth, from QUT's Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q).

"Our study showed that wearing a bicycle helmet was associated with a 69% reduction in the likelihood of head or brain injuries and a 74% reduction in the likelihood of severe brain injury," said Haworth. Furthermore, helmet wearing reduced the likelihood of injury to the upper and mid face by 65%. The findings, noted Haworth, were consistent with published evidence that mandatory bicycle helmet wearing legislation had prevented injuries and deaths. There was no evidence to support calls to abolish the mandatory wearing of bicycle helmets in a bid to increase cycling rates.

"The research also showed helmet wearing by all age groups was effective and limiting the scope of the rules would see an increase in cyclist head injuries. Any move away from universal helmet wearing legislation to a segmented approach would increase the chance of head injury to those not required to wear a helmet.

"It would also have an indirect effect in reducing helmet wearing rates among those who are still required to wear a helmet.

"Only requiring bicycle helmets to be worn by children or when riding on the road would result in substantial increases in the percentage of riders in crashes who sustain head injuries."

While infrastructure and speed management approaches to improving the safety of cycling were necessary, the protection of the individual by simple and cost-effective methods such as bicycle helmets should also be part of an overall package of safety measures, said Haworth.