Mandatory bicycle helmet use--Victoria, Australia.
On July 1, 1990, the first statewide law in Australia requiring wearing of an approved safety helmet by all bicyclists became effective in Victoria (1989 population: approximately 4.3 million) (Figure 1). Implementation of the law was preceded by a decade-long campaign to promote helmet use among the estimated 2.2 million persons who ride bicycles; the campaign included educational programs; mass media publicity; financial incentives; and efforts by professional, community, and bicycle groups (1,2). This report assesses helmet law enforcement, helmet use, and injuries related to bicycling in Victoria.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D014739:Victoria