Assessment of child and youth knowledge and practice regarding bicycle and helmet ownership, bicycle use, and associated injuries in Northwest Louisiana: Implications for education and injury reduction

Louisiana is ranked poorly for safe biking, 43^rd out of 50 states, and has twice the annual bicycle fatality rate (15.7) of the national average (7.3).  Understanding child and youth knowledge of and use of bicycles helps to design effective interventions to prevent bicycle related injuries and fatalities. This study examines children’s ownership and use of bicycles and helmets as well as their knowledge about bicycle associated injuries.  The study was conducted in the summer of 2012 in 14 locations in Northwest Louisiana.  Children were recruited at local parks and/or recreation areas, with parental/guardian consent, to participate in a survey assessing basic demographic information, bicycle ownership and usage, helmet usage, knowledge pertaining to road usage when riding a bicycle, and knowledge regarding accident related brain injury. The 390 participants ranged in age from 5 to 14 years and included 223 boys and 167 girls.  Eighty-four percent of the children own bicycles but only 25% own helmets.  Over half of the children and youth surveyed (52.5%) have a misconception that the brain cannot be injured unless the skull is broken.  A majority of the children and youth (67.7%) were unaware of the correct direction to follow on the road when riding a bicycle. Creating and implementing interventions that encourage bicycle helmet purchase and use, increase knowledge of bicycle safety focusing on road rules, and increase knowledge about accident related brain injuries are recommended for this population.   Recommendations for policy to prevent and control bicycle related injuries are also examined.