BICYCLIST HEAD-INJURY PREVENTION BY HELMETS AND MANDATORY WEARING LEGISLATION IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

After a decade of promotion and education, legislation for mandatory h elmet wearing by bicyclists in Victoria was introduced on 1 July 1990. The legislation was a world first. Comparison of 1710 bicyclist casua lties wearing and not wearing helmets has demonstrated that wearing he lmets certified to the Australian Standard reduces the head injury ris k by at least 39% and lessens head injury severity. Simulated impact t esting of helmets has shown that they provide protection in most impac ts including collisions involving a motor vehicle. Legislation for man datory helmet wearing in Victoria has led to increased wearing rates a nd marked reductions in bicyclist fatalities and head injuries. The Vi ctorian experience gives substantial support to the introduction of le gislation for mandatory helmet wearing by bicyclists.