Survey of 1,256 High School Students in Aichi Prefecture Who Started Wearing Bicycle Helmets: 85% Responded, 'It Would Be Great If Helmet Use Became Normal'

In March of Reiwa 8, Governor Omura of Aichi Prefecture donated approximately 2,900 helmets to top-performing schools in the 'Life-Saving Helmet Promotion Grand Prix,' followed by a survey.

Kabuto Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Higashiosaka City; President and CEO: Hiroki Kimura), a pioneer in domestic bicycle helmets (hereinafter 'Kabuto'), donated bicycle helmets to Aichi Prefecture, where, starting in April of Reiwa 8, wearing a helmet during bicycle commuting to public high schools became a condition for school attendance approval. An online survey was conducted among high school students who received the helmets, and responses were collected from 1,256 students. The results showed that 91.6% responded, 'I have become more careful in my riding behavior,' and 85% answered, 'It would be great if helmet use became normal.' Regarding helmet promotion, 'mandatory use and penalties' received the highest number of responses, indicating that students themselves recognize institutional support as key to widespread adoption.

The team from Aichi Prefectural Nishio High School, which won the top prize in the 'Life-Saving Helmet Promotion Grand Prix' for contributing to increased helmet usage across the entire school

High school students taking the lead in promoting bicycle helmet use

Among bicycle accident fatalities in Aichi Prefecture over the past five years (Reiwa 2–6), over 60% died from head injuries, and the fatality rate for those not wearing helmets was 1.7 times higher than for those who wore them. Meanwhile, in personal injury bicycle accidents in the prefecture in Reiwa 7, the helmet usage rate was only 19.5%, with high school students having the lowest rate at 10.7%.

The judging session of the 'Life-Saving Helmet Promotion Grand Prix' in February of Reiwa 8

Therefore, in Reiwa 7, the Aichi Prefectural Police and the Aichi Prefectural Traffic Safety Association launched a participatory event called the 'Life-Saving Helmet Promotion Grand Prix' to improve helmet usage rates among high school students. A total of 239 participants from 44 schools reported various initiatives to promote helmet use and safe bicycle riding.

Kabuto sponsored this initiative and, taking the opportunity that starting in spring of Reiwa 8, helmet use for students commuting by bicycle to public high schools became a condition for school attendance, donated approximately 2,900 bicycle helmets and conducted this survey.

[Summary of Survey Results Among High School Students in Aichi Prefecture Who Received Bicycle Helmets]

85% responded, 'It would be great if helmet use became normal'

For promoting helmet use, 'mandatory use and penalties' was the most selected option, chosen by over 40%

97% believe 'wearing a helmet is effective for protecting the head'

Many positive responses based on real experiences, such as 'I was protected when I fell'

88% reported 'no challenges in wearing a helmet'

However, challenges include peer pressure, such as 'it's hard to wear one when others aren't'

Approximately 90% reported 'increased awareness of traffic safety' and 'became more careful in their riding behavior'

After wearing helmets, positive changes in awareness and behavior toward traffic safety were observed

[Survey Results (Excerpts)]

<Regarding the Promotion of Helmet Use>

1. 85% responded, 'It would be great if helmet use became normal'

When asked, 'Do you think it would be good if everyone wearing helmets became normal?' 40.4% answered 'strongly agree,' 44.1% answered 'somewhat agree,' totaling 84.5% who believe 'it would be great if helmet use became normal.'

Additionally, in the open-ended question, 'What would help spread helmet use to everyone?' there were 1,063 responses, with 'mandatory use and penalties' being the most common at 43%, indicating that even among high school students, there is recognition that institutional support is key to widespread adoption. This was followed by 'awareness and education' and 'design improvements,' revealing an understanding that a three-pronged approach—through systems, culture, and products—is necessary. Some responses suggested that a 'tipping point' in social norms is needed, such as 'if everyone wears one, everyone will wear one.'

Do you think it would be good if everyone wearing helmets became normal?

<Regarding the Effectiveness of Helmet Use>

2. 97% believe 'wearing a helmet is effective for protecting the head'

When asked, 'Do you think wearing a helmet is effective for protecting the head?' 68.3% answered 'strongly agree,' 28.7% answered 'somewhat agree,' with 97% recognizing the effectiveness of helmets.

In the open-ended question, 'What do you think is good about wearing a helmet?' approximately 60% of responses focused on 'a sense of security' or 'actual experiences of head protection during falls or accidents.' Many specific anecdotes, such as 'I was protected when I fell' or 'I was only lightly injured in an accident,' showed that positive opinions were based on real experiences rather than mere impressions.

Do you think wearing a helmet is effective for protecting the head?

<Challenges Regarding Helmet Use>

3. 88% reported 'no challenges in wearing a helmet'

When asked, 'Are there any challenges in wearing a helmet?' 88.1% answered 'no.' This shows that high school students who actually tried wearing helmets did not perceive significant challenges. However, when those who answered 'yes' were asked to describe their challenges in an open-ended format, two main issues emerged: 'heat and sweating' and 'design/appearance.' Additionally, peer pressure and social norms, such as 'it's hard to wear one when others aren't,' also surfaced as challenges.

Are there any challenges in wearing a helmet?

<Changes in Safety Awareness and Behavior After Helmet Use>

4. Approximately 90% reported increased traffic safety awareness and more careful riding behavior

When asked, 'Has your awareness of traffic safety increased?' 39.9% answered 'strongly agree,' 47.6% answered 'somewhat agree,' totaling 87.5% who reported increased awareness. Regarding 'Have you become more careful in your bicycle riding?' 50.2% answered 'strongly agree,' 41.4% answered 'somewhat agree,' totaling 91.6% who reported becoming more careful. After wearing helmets, positive changes in awareness and behavior toward traffic safety were observed, confirming that helmet use contributes to overall improvements in safe riding behavior.

Has your awareness of traffic safety increased? Have you become more careful in your bicycle riding?

[Survey Overview] 〇 Period: April–June 2026 〇 Method: Through Aichi Prefecture, approximately 2,900 bicycle helmets were donated to top-performing schools in the 'Helmet Use Promotion Grand Prix,' hosted by the Aichi Prefectural Police, primarily to new students in 2026. A survey was conducted based on helmet use from April to June. 〇 Target: High school students from nine award-winning schools in the Helmet Use Promotion Grand Prix who received helmets and began wearing them during bicycle commuting ※ Responses: 1,256; due to rounding, percentages may not total exactly 100%

[Summary]

The survey conducted in Aichi Prefecture showed that, similar to previous surveys in Osaka, Hyogo, and Fukuoka Prefectures (totaling 4,400 respondents), many high school students who began wearing helmets demonstrated increased traffic safety awareness and behavioral changes toward more cautious riding.

Additionally, at the 'High School Student Summit in Aichi' held in the summer of Reiwa 7, prior to the 'Life-Saving Helmet Promotion Grand Prix,' participating students from across the prefecture expressed reluctance to wear helmets due to concerns about hairstyles and heat. However, all participants agreed on the need for rule-based implementation.

The 'High School