To the Editor: Sikic and colleagues state that the 1990 legislation making helmets compulsory for bicyclists in Victoria was associated with a decrease in non-fatal head injuries and fatalities.1 However, of the three citations given to support this statement (references 8–10 in Sikic et al),1 one is a study performed before the helmet law was introduced, another is an editorial, and the third makes the common error of attributing to helmet use the effects of economic recession and road safety campaigns. These together reduced all road deaths in Australia by about a third.2 Careful analysis takes account of such factors.
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- Edinburgh, UK.
- 1. Sikic M, Mikocka-Walus AA, Gabbe BJ, et al. Bicycling injuries and mortality in Victoria, 2001–2006. Med J Aust 2009; 190: 353-356. <MJA full text>
- 2. Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Road deaths Australia. 2008 Statistical summary. Canberra: The Department, May 2009. (Road safety report No. 4.) http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2009/pdf/rsr_04.pdf (accessed Jul 2009).
- 3. Robinson DL. No clear evidence from countries that have enforced the wearing of helmets. BMJ 2006; 332: 722-725.
- 4. Smith GD. Classics in epidemiology: should they get it right [editorial]? Int J Epidemiol 2004; 33: 441-442.
- 5. Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. Contradictory evidence about the effectiveness of cycle helmets. http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1052.html (accessed Jul 2009).
- 6. Robinson D. Head injuries and bicycle helmet laws. Accid Anal Prev 1996; 28: 463-475.
- 7. Wardlaw MJ. Assessing the actual risks faced by cyclists. Traffic Eng Control 2002; 43: 420-424.
- 8. Jacobsen P. Safety in numbers: more walkers and bicyclists, safer walking and bicycling. Inj Prev 2003; 9: 205-209.
- 9. Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. Changes in cycle use in Australia. http://www.cyclehelmets.org/1194.html (accessed Jul 2009).
- 10. Andersen LB, Schnohr P, Schroll M, Hein HO. All-cause mortality associated with physical activity during leisure time, work, sports, and cycling to work. Arch Intern Med 2000; 160: 1621-1628.