When correctly fitted and worn, helmets can greatly reduce the incidence and severity of head and brain injury in a wide range of impacts.

Over the past decade, little research has been conducted to assess improvements in helmet technologies and the reductions in head injury risk. The University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Safety Science is therefore conducting a study on pedal and motor cycle crashes to evaluate helmet performance in the context of injury prevention.

The effectiveness of helmets in real-life crashes will be examined by means of a NSW-based, in-depth pedal and motor cycle accident study. The study involves the collection of detailed information on the crash circumstances, injury, and the helmet damage. The relationship between helmet performance and injury provides the critical elements to identify limitations and effectiveness of the current helmet designs in protecting the user and preventing head injury.

The study is funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in partnership with NSW RTA, TAC (Victoria), NRMA, ATSB, and DVExperts International.

Have you recently been involved in a pedal cycle or motor cycle crash?

We are interested in talking to pedal cyclists and motorcycle riders of all ages and back-grounds who have recently (i.e. in the past 3 months) been involved in a fall or collision. In particular, we would like to talk to riders who received some impact to the helmeted head, regardless of whether an injury occurred.

If you are interested in helping, please fill in the form below and click the submit button to send it to us. Alternatively, you can download a brochure with the form attached, fill in the attached form and mail or fax it to us at the address provided.

Your participation* will involve:

• A brief interview in which we will obtain information about the circumstances of the crash^†.
• If you have been injured, we may seek to obtain specific injury information^†.
• If available, we would like to examine your bike, helmet and clothing worn at the time of the crash.
• We may need to take your helmet away for detailed examination.
• If possible, we may take some basic anthropometrical measurements^§; such as height, weight, and head dimensions.

* Participants are free to withdraw from the study at any time without prejudice.
§ We anticipate that there will be no risks or discom-fort related to your involvement in this study.
† Information obtained will remain strictly confidential.

HELMET STUDY REGISTRATION FORM ACCIDENT DETAILS Please check the statement(s) below that apply. I was a cyclist involved in a pedal cycle crash. I was a rider involved in a motor cycle crash. I was wearing a helmet at the time. I received a head/helmet impact. My helmet is available for examination. I was injured in the crash. Date of Crash : (day / month / year) Age at crash : yrs Gender : Male     Female       CONTACT DETAILS If the participant is a child under 16 years, please provide the details of a parent or guardian to be contacted. Title : Mr     Mrs     Ms    Dr      Other Given names :   Surname :   Address : Email :   Mobile :   Daytime Phone :   Phone (AH) :   I prefer to be contacted via : Post Mobile   Phone Email   I was made aware of this study through:

If you have any queries about the study and/or would like more information regarding participation, please contact one of the following::