MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    Bicycle Helmet Wearing in a Sample of Urban Disadvantaged Primary School Children


    Quirke, M.B. and McGilloway, Sinéad and Comiskey, C.M. and Wynne, C. and O'Sullivan, K. (2013) Bicycle Helmet Wearing in a Sample of Urban Disadvantaged Primary School Children. Irish Medical Journal, 106 (4). pp. 102-104. ISSN 0790-2905

    [img]
    Preview
    Download (831kB) | Preview


    Share your research

    Twitter Facebook LinkedIn GooglePlus Email more...



    Add this article to your Mendeley library


    Abstract

    Bicycle helmet wearing is currently not legally enforced in Ireland and little is known about the self-reported practice amongst young children. The principal aim of this study was to assess self-reported helmet wearing amongst a sample (n=314) of primary school children (aged 8-13 years) attending disadvantaged schools in Dublin. Approximately 86% of the sample owned a bike and provided a response to the question on helmet use. The findings indicate that helmet wearing is not a widespread practice (50.4%; 136/270 report never wearing helmets). As children get older, reported practice is also less likely with 67% (27/40) of 12/13 year-olds compared to 38% (31/81) of 8/9 year-olds reporting never wearing protective headgear. Regardless of age, more girls (61%; 82/135) than boys (39%; 52/135) indicated always/sometimes using helmets when cycling. Conversely, the findings show that (mandatory) seatbelt wearing is standard practice for the majority (93%; 252/270). The findings relating to helmet wearing add further to the debate around the mandatory introduction of protective headgear for cyclists.

    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Bicycle Helmet; Wearing; ; Urban; Disadvantaged; Children; Cycling Safety;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
    Item ID: 6205
    Depositing User: Dr. Sinéad McGilloway
    Date Deposited: 17 Jun 2015 15:06
    Journal or Publication Title: Irish Medical Journal
    Publisher: Irish Medical Organisation
    Refereed: Yes
    URI:
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

    Repository Staff Only(login required)

    View Item Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads