National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. conducted a study. The abstract from the study:

“In 1995, a bicycle helmet give away programme was conducted in two rural towns in Texas, USA. Helmets were given to all 403 school children in kindergarten through grade 8. Helmet education, a bicycle rodeo, and incentives to increase helmet use were part of the programme. Observations of helmet use were made before the helmet programme began and after the programme at several intervals throughout the school year and during the summer. A self-reported survey questionnaire was administered to children in grades 4 through 8 before the helmet programme began and at several intervals during the school year to determine their attitudes about helmet use, safety perceptions, and peer pressure and yielded 179 responses. A questionnaire also was administered to the parents of these children to determine attitudes and bicycle helmet use among a sample of 30 parents. Helmet use increased from 3% before the give away to 38% at the end of the school year, 7 months later. However, during the subsequent summer, helmet use decreased to 5%. Helmet use among 7th- and 8th-grade students was 0% at all observations periods after the give away. Most parents believed that helmets increased riding safety and should be worn, but only 23% reported always wearing one when riding a bicycle. Bicycle helmet give away programmes can increase helmet use temporarily, but they may not be sufficient to sustain it. This programme was not effective among 7th- and 8th-grade students.”

from cababstractsplus.org