A study has been published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) on the number of hospitaliztions due to bicycle related injuries. It shows, among other things, there was a 15% decrease in hospitalizations due to bike related injuries for children and youth between 1997 and 2002. Reports CIHI (See the CIHI news release.). The report also noted that there was an 11% decrease in head injuries for children aged 5 - 14 during this time period.

In Ontario it is mandatory for children and youth under the age of 18 to wear bicycle helmets when riding on the road or sidewalk. That law was enacted in October of 1995. The City of Toronto has been promoting helmet use by children as part of the safety spoke of the Bike Plan. City of Toronto: Bike Helmets The report draws no direct link between helmets and the reduction of head injuries, however it is good to see the numbers of head injuries decreasing.

Another interesting detail from the report is that Ontario is the province with the lowest rate of hospitalization due to bicycle injuries at 26.8 per 100,000 population. You can download and read the full report at the following site: tcc-rep@tbn.ca