WeChat investigation on prevalence and cognition of e-bike helmet use in Shanghai

ObjectiveThis investigation aimed to understand public cognition and attitudes on the legislation of e-bike helmet use and to analyze the prevalence of e-bike helmet use in Shanghai.

MethodsSoftware was used to compose the questionnaires, which were issued to the public by WeChat @Shanghai CDC.

ResultsA total of 70.23% respondents correctly answered the questions of the statement about e-bike helmet use in relation to Shanghai Road Traffic Management Rules.And 84.21% respondents showed supportive attitudes towards legislation on mandatory e-bike helmet use and 80.73% supported punishment of the violation.Among the respondents who were e-bike riders or passengers in the past 30 days, 89.42% were equipped with helmets.and 84.59% of them said they always or often wore the helmet.Helmet equipping rate was higher in the e-bike riders than in the passengers behind (89.91%, 82.02%, P < 0.05).Helmet wearing frequency was higher in the e-bike riders than in the passengers behind (P < 0.05).Female e-bike riders wore helmets more often than male e-bike riders (P < 0.05).Helmet wearing frequency was different among food delivery, express industry and common riders (χ²=135.068, P < 0.05), which was the highest in food delivery and the lowest in express industry (P < 0.0167).Main reasons of unwillingness to equip or wear a helmet were the restricted view, hot weather and inconvenience for carrying.

ConclusionMost people support the legislation of e-bike helmet use.Current e-bike helmet equipping rate in Shanghai is high but many riders do not often wear the helmet.The wearing rate in food delivery riders is relatively higher than in others.To raise the use of e-bike helmets, besides promoting the policy, the helmet products need to be improved.