Helmet laws drastically reduce cycling fatalities: Jake Olivier

A world-first study by Professor Jake Olivier and colleagues has demonstrated a clear link between helmet laws and a dramatic reduction in cycling fatalities.  

The paper, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, was co-authored with Transport and Road Safety Research Centre researchers Dr Sofiane Boufous and Emeritus Professor Raphael Grzebieta.

The findings show that the introduction of helmet legislation in Australia led to an immediate 46% drop in fatalities (per 100,000 population) and has saved billions of dollars in medical costs.

“This decline has been maintained since 1990 and we estimate 1332 fewer cycling fatalities associated with the introduction of bicycle helmet legislation to date”, said Prof Olivier, who was lead author of the paper.  

The study also challenges a common argument by anti-helmet campaigners: that helmets do not reduce fatalities but instead discourage people from cycling - thereby lowering fatality rates. The researchers state that the overwhelming evidence from this study, along with numerous international studies, does not support this claim. 

Professor Olivier and colleagues' research attracted coverage in the mainstream media. 

• Read more via UNSW Newsroom
• Link to the paper, "The impact of bicycle helmet legislation on cycling fatalities in Australia"

Pictured above: Prof Jake Olivier