Variáveis que afetam o uso de capacete por ciclistas: análises qualitativa e experimental

Abstract

The use of a bicycle helmet can reduce up until 80% the severity of head injuries in accidents. Despite its importance, the practice of using a helmet by cyclists is still incipient in Brazil. This study investigates factors that may influence cyclists to wear helmets and evaluates the effects of experimental interventions designed to promote such behavior. Two studies were carried out. In the first study, 185 cyclists were surveyed about the factors that lead or prevent them from wearing helmets or not. Then they were separated into two groups: 1) those who reported they use helmet and 2) those who reported they do not use helmet. Critical factors were searched by a comparative analysis of the responses given by the two groups. The results indicated that discomfort, high prices, awkward design, and the lack of lockers and changing rooms discourage the use of this item. In the second study, an experiment was conducted with 794 cyclists, customers of a bicycle rental company, with the objective of measuring the effects of experimental interventions on the behavior of wearing helmets. In Intervention 1, bicycle helmets were visually displayed behind the counter of the rental company. Little or no effect was observed on the behavior of cyclists. In Intervention 2, the helmets were placed on the handlebars of the available bicycles. As a result, the percentage of helmet use reached 17%. It is concluded that planning interventions that promote safe behavior in traffic must begin with identifying the profile and needs of the target audience to increase the effectiveness and efficacy of these strategies.