Associations entre port du casque, comportements sécuritaires à vélo et habitudes de vie
Background: Cyclists are vulnerable road users. Helmet use may reduce injury severity. Yet, its promotion requires a good knowledge of the determinants related to helmet use. Objectives: The objectives are to estimate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and helmet use among cyclists’ from Montreal and to examine associations between helmet use and safe cycling behaviours as well as lifestyles behaviour. Methods: We used a cross sectional design with repeated measures through three telephone surveys completed in 2009 and 2010. The sample includes 3309 Montrealers aged 18 years and over, who had cycled in the previous 12 months. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, safe cycling behaviours, lifestyles and road environments were collected. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Results show associations between wearing a helmet and income, higher level of education, being born in Canada, other safe cycling behaviours, some lifestyles (non-smoking and drinking one or two alcoholic beverages daily vs not drinking, or drinking three alcoholic beverages or more daily) and the absence of public bicycle share docking stations near one’s dwelling. Conclusions: Helmet use is one of the behaviours allowing cyclists to protect themselves. Social inequalities should be considered when developing interventions to promote helmet use among cyclists.
Helmet use Bicycle Safe behaviours Lifestyles Social inequalities