title: The determinants of bicycle helmet use: evidence from Germany.
abstract: Previous research has shown that the risks of serious injury or death from bicycling can be mitigated by the decision to wear a helmet. Drawing on a nationwide household survey conducted in 2008 in Germany, this analysis investigates the determinants of voluntary helmet use through a combination of descriptive analyses and econometric methods, the latter relying on variants of the probit- and heteroskedastic probit model. Confirming results uncovered elsewhere in the literature, we find that household demographics, residential location, and riding patterns are significant correlates of helmet use. Contrasting with other studies, however, we also find that women are significantly less likely to use a helmet than men, a discrepancy that holds over most of the adult life-cycle. The paper concludes by highlighting the scope for designing strategic information campaigns to promote helmet use.
authors.affiliation: Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Hohenzollernstraße 1-3, 45128 Essen, Germany. ritter@rwi-essen.de
authors.forename: Nolan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ritter
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vance
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004522:Educational Status; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011336:Probability; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data