Bicycle and Bicycle Helmet Use Patterns in the United States in 1998

While national estimates of bicycle-related injuries and deaths are readily available, information about the characteristics and use patterns of bicyclists is not regularly monitored. This article describes the results of a national survey of U.S. bicycle riders conducted in 1998. The survey employed a single-stage list-assisted random digit-dial sample design, and collected information about some of the characteristics and bicycle use patterns of a probability sample of over 1,000 U.S. bicyclists. The results of the survey provide information about: the population of bicyclists; selected characteristics of riders (e.g., age, gender, experience); bicycle use patterns (how much and where bicycles are ridden); helmet usage patterns; and the demographic characteristics of rider households. The results of the survey are evaluated in conjunction with national injury estimates to calculate bicycle-related injury rates. The results are also compared to those of a similar survey conducted in 1991 to evaluate changes in bicycle and helmet use patterns over time.

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