Evaluation of a bicycle helmet give-away programme in the District of Hulu Langat, Selangor

Abstract

This is part of a quasi-experimental study to determine the usage of bicycle helmet amongst lower secondary school bicyclist in the District of Hulu Langat, Selangor following distribution of free bicycle helmets. It was undertaken in the month of June 1998 and out of 300 bicyclist sampled 292 participated in the project. A bicycle helmet and a diary to record daily helmet usage for a period of one month were distributed to participants. Out of 292 who participated, 208 returned their dairies. There were 156 male and 52 female respondents. The overall rate of bicycle helmet usage was 77.0%. The mean bicycle riding days per month was 21.6 days for males and 15.2 days for females. There was a significant difference in the mean number of days bicycle helmet was used amongst male (15.8 days) and female (9.8 days) respondents. The only significant predictor of good rate of bicycle helmet use was gender.