Family Physician, 1996;9:17-22.

Abstract

Bicycle fatalities constituted 5% of road fatalities in 1995. A helmet, properly worn, is the most effective measure to prevent head injury to a cyclist in the event of a crash. We studied the knowledge, attitude and practice of children in two secondary schools (Ipoh and Kulim) with respect to bicycle helmet use before instituting a program for helmet use. Although there were no major differences in knowledge, attitude and practice of students in the two groups, children in the Ipoh program failed to wear helmets while the children in the Kulim program complied over a one year period. The main reason for failure of the helmet progranl in Ipoh were negative peer influence. The Kulim helmet program was integrated with a bicycle safety course conducted by dedicated teachers. The quasi experimental study resulted in increased awareness of the importance of bicycle helmets among school children in Kulim Keywords: Bicycle helmet, road traffic injury, prevention.