EVALUATION OF A BICYCLE HELMET GIVEAWAY PROGRAM - TEXAS, 1995

Objective. To determine the;effect of a bicycle helmet giveaway progra m on helmet use among children. Methods. In 1995, a bicycle helmet giv eaway program was conducted in two rural towns in Texas. Helmets were given to all 403 school children in kindergarten through grade 8. Helm et education, a bicycle rodeo, and incentives to increase helmet use w ere part of the program. Observations of helmet use were made before t he helmet program began and after the program at several intervals thr oughout the school year and during the summer. A self-reported survey questionnaire was administered to children in grades 4 through 8 befor e the helmet program began and at several intervals during the school year to determine their attitudes about helmet use, safety perceptions , and peer pressure. A questionnaire also was administered to the pare nts of these children to determine attitudes and bicycle helmet use am ong parents. Results. Helmet use increased from 3% before the giveaway to 38% at the end of the school year, 7 months later. However, during the subsequent summer, helmet use decreased to 5%. Helmet use among 7 th- and 8th-grade students was 0% at all observations periods after th e giveaway. Even though 96% of all students thought that helmet use in creased riding safety and 68% thought helmets should be worn at all ti mes when riding, only 25% thought that their friends would approve of helmet use. Most parents also believed that helmets increased riding s afety and should be worn, but only 23% reported always wearing one whe n riding a bicycle. Conclusions. Bicycle helmet giveaway programs can increase helmet use temporarily, but they may not be sufficient to sus tain it. This program was not effective among 7th- and 8th-grade stude nts.