Helmet Use Among E-Bike, Pedal Bike, and E-Scooter Riders: Observational Trends, Interventions, and Public Attitudes in Canberra.

This study includes a quasi-experimental public health signage intervention and observational exposure assessment. Three high-traffic urban bike paths in Canberra will be selected. At baseline, helmet use among riders of e-bikes, pedal bikes, and e-scooters will be observed using discreet video recording over two-week periods, covering morning and afternoon peaks on weekdays and weekends. Discreet video surveillance will document helmet compliance, vehicle type, estimated age group, gender presentation, and weather conditions. Baseline observations will establish typical compliance rates, demographic patterns, and contextual factors that may influence helmet-wearing behaviour. Following the 2 week observation period at the three sites, two intervention sites will receive signage designed to promote helmet use, while a third site will serve as a control with no signage. At one intervention site, three signs spaced approximately 50 metres apart will emphasise the health and safety benefits of helmet use using visual and textual messaging. At the second intervention site, three signs spaced approximately 50 metres apart will highlight legal penalties for non-compliance with helmet laws, including fine amounts and potential demerit points. Signage will remain in place throughout the post-intervention observation period of approximately 2 months. Observational periods are predicted to capture 30–50 riders per hour per site, requiring approximately 30–40 hours of recording per site over the study. The primary exposure is the presence and type of signage (health-benefit messaging versus legal-penalty messaging versus no signage). Additional exposures assessed observationally include rider vehicle type (e-bike, pedal bike, e-scooter), estimated age group, gender presentation, and environmental conditions such as weather. No direct interaction with riders will occur. The intervention is passive, population-level, and delivered in a public setting.