Effects of Bicycle Helmet Laws on Children's Injuries

37 Pages Posted: 11 Feb 2013 Last revised: 19 Apr 2023

See all articles by Pinka Chatterji

Pinka Chatterji

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); State University of New York (SUNY) - Department of Economics

Sara Markowitz

Emory University; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: February 2013

Abstract

Cycling is popular among children, but results in thousands of injuries annually. In recent years, many states and localities have enacted bicycle helmet laws. We examine direct and indirect effects of these laws on injuries. Using hospital-level panel data and triple difference models, we find helmet laws are associated with reductions in bicycle-related head injuries among children. However, laws also are associated with decreases in non-head cycling injuries, as well as increases in head injuries from other wheeled sports. Thus, the observed reduction in bicycle-related head injuries may be due to reductions in bicycle riding induced by the laws.

Suggested Citation

Chatterji, Pinka and Markowitz, Sara, Effects of Bicycle Helmet Laws on Children's Injuries (February 2013). NBER Working Paper No. w18773, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2214243

Pinka Chatterji (Contact Author)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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State University of New York (SUNY) - Department of Economics ( email )

Sara Markowitz

Emory University ( email )

Atlanta, GA 30322
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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New York, NY 10016-4309
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