UC Berkeley SafeTREC has recently released two new research briefs: "Advancing Youth Helmet Adoption Through Community-Based Programming" and “Pairing Speed Limit Reductions and Infrastructure to Lower Fatal and Serious (FSI) Crashes.”
The first research brief by Melie Ekunno, Lilette Gorostieta, and Kris Leckie highlights that helmets are among the most effective tools for preventing serious injury, yet rates of consistent use among children and adolescents remain low and unevenly distributed across demographic groups. The researchers reviewed the social, cultural, and structural factors shaping helmet use and examined the role of school-based programs in promoting safer biking practices. Findings indicate that free and subsidized helmet distribution reduces access barriers but requires reinforcement through education and community engagement to sustain long-term use. Overall, the evidence highlights the need for integrated, equity-focused, and sustainable approaches to increase helmet adoption and reduce preventable injuries among young bicyclists.
Read the full publication for more information.
The second research brief by Noelani Fixler and Melie Ekunno highlights that although recent California legislative reforms grant jurisdictions greater flexibility to lower speed limits, evidence suggests that reductions in posted speed limits alone are insufficient to meaningfully reduce crash severity. The researchers examined how speed limit reductions, when paired with infrastructure design, enforcement strategies, and contextual land-use planning, can more effectively lower FSI outcomes. Aligned with the Safe System Approach, the countermeasure layers of roadway geometry, lighting, bicycle-specific infrastructure, and enforcement shape driver behavior and protect vulnerable road users. This approach provides a pathway for communities to advance vulnerable road user safety by reducing speeds through a holistic approach.
Read the full publication for more information.
The Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (CPBSP) is a joint project of UC Berkeley SafeTREC and California Walks. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).