NHTSA 2003 Motorcycle Helmet Survey

Potential participant gear worn (Heat Spot selection on electronic tablet form. Researcher selects observed gear by tapping on the corresponding image. Each selected gear type, indicated by a green highlighted box, will open an image library of that gear’s subtypes. Non-selected gear will be skipped.)

(Note: Green example highlighting on right is for clarification purposes only. Example highlighting shown on rightmost image will not appear in data form until after the researcher selects it.)

1a. (Complete if “Helmet” was selected as observed, otherwise skip)

The helmet is:

A protective motorcycle helmet (DOT label observed)
A protective motorcycle helmet (DOT label not visible)
A protective non-motorcycle helmet
Not protective
Could not determine

1b. (Complete if “Jacket” was selected as observed, otherwise skip)

The jacket is:

A protective motorcycle jacket
A protective non-motorcycle jacket
Not protective
Could not determine

1c. (Complete if “Pants” was selected as observed, otherwise skip)

The pants are:

Protective motorcycle pants
Protective non-motorcycle pants
Not protective
Could not determine

1d. (Complete if “Gloves” was selected as observed, otherwise skip)

The gloves are:

Protective motorcycle gloves
Protective non-motorcycle gloves
Not protective
Could not determine

1e. (Complete if “Footwear” was selected as observed, otherwise skip)

The footwear is:

Protective motorcycle footwear
Protective non-motorcycle footwear
Not protective
Could not determine

Weather conditions (check all that apply)

Sunny / Clear
Cloudy
Foggy
Windy
Rainy

2a. Approximate temperature: _______ °F

3. Age

Under 18
18-35
36-55
56-64
65+
Could not determine

4. Sex

Female
Male
Could not determine

5. Race and/or ethnicity (select all that apply)

American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
Middle Easten or North African
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
White
Could not determine

6. The observed rider:

Was not contacted
Learned about the study and was not interested in participating
Learned about the study and began consent process

Consent Process

See other forms for eligibility and consent forms

Bike Type & Riding Information

(The participant will self-report the following information)

The following questions ask about your bike and riding habits.

7. What type of bike are you riding today?

Standard
Touring
Cruiser
Sport
Scooter
Other (please specify): __________________

Make / Model: ______________________________

Model year: _____________________________

How long have you been riding?

Less than 1 year
1 – 5 years
6 – 10 years
11 – 25 years
26 – 40 years
More than 40 years

Check the appropriate box below to indicate how often you ride for each of the following reasons:

	Never	A few times per season	A few times per month	A few times per week	Daily
Commuting	□	□	□	□	□
Leisure / Short Recreational Trips	□	□	□	□	□
Traveling / Long Distance Trips	□	□	□	□	□
Other (please describe): _______________	□	□	□	□	□

Check the appropriate box below to indicate how often you ride in each of the following scenarios:

	None of my rides	Some of my rides	About half of my rides	Most of my rides	All of my rides
Solo	□	□	□	□	□
With a passenger on your bike	□	□	□	□	□
With one other bike	□	□	□	□	□
In a group with two to five bikes	□	□	□	□	□
In a group with five or more bikes	□	□	□	□	□

Are you or have you been a member of any motorcycle organization(s)?

Yes
- List up to five of the most recent organization(s) you have been a member of, if you feel comfortable doing so.

1. ________________

2. ________________

3. ________________

4. ________________

5. ________________

No (Skip to question 15)

(This question will appear up to five times with the embedded text from Question 13)

How does being a member of [embedded text from previous answer] influence your decision to wear protective gear?

Much less likely to wear protective gear	Somewhat less likely to wear protective gear	No influence on my decision to wear protective gear	Somewhat more likely to wear protective gear	Much more likely to wear protective gear
□	□	□	□	□

How did you learn to ride? (Check all that apply)

Completed a basic motorcycle training course
Completed an advanced motorcycle training course
Completed a free online motorcycle training course
Completed a paid online motorcycle training course
Watched free motorcycle training videos online (e.g., YouTube)
From a friend or relative
From someone in my riding group, club, or association
Other (please specify): _________________________________________________

Protective Gear

The following questions ask about any protective motorcycle gear you wear.

For the next few questions, motorcycle gear refers to specialized clothing designed for crash injury protection, weather protection, or temperature regulation while riding.

Do you own/possess a motorcycle helmet?

16a.

	None of my rides	Some of my rides	About half of my rides	Most of my rides	All of my rides
How often do you wear a motorcycle helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

Do you own/possess a motorcycle jacket?

17a.

	None of my rides	Some of my rides	About half of my rides	Most of my rides	All of my rides
How often do you wear a motorcycle jacket?	□	□	□	□	□

Do you own/possess motorcycle pants?

18a.

	None of my rides	Some of my rides	About half of my rides	Most of my rides	All of my rides
How often do you wear motorcycle pants?	□	□	□	□	□

Do you own/possess motorcycle footwear?

19a.

	None of my rides	Some of my rides	About half of my rides	Most of my rides	All of my rides
How often do you wear motorcycle footwear?	□	□	□	□	□

Do you own/possess motorcycle gloves?

20a.

	None of my rides	Some of my rides	About half of my rides	Most of my rides	All of my rides
How often do you wear motorcycle gloves?	□	□	□	□	□

How does wearing a motorcycle helmet affect each of the following for you? (Items will be randomized)

	Significantly decreases	Somewhat decreases	No change	Somewhat increases	Significantly increases
Riding comfort	□	□	□	□	□
Head movement	□	□	□	□	□
Visibility	□	□	□	□	□
Hearing	□	□	□	□	□

(Question will be displayed to the participant if they answered “Yes” to Question 16)

Indicate how much you agree/disagree with the following statements regarding your motorcycle helmet. (Items will be randomized)

My helmet (is):

	Strongly disagree	Somewhat disagree	Neutral	Somewhat agree	Strongly agree
Comfortable	□	□	□	□	□
Allows for breathability / air flow	□	□	□	□	□
Stays in position while riding	□	□	□	□	□
Protective	□	□	□	□	□
Well designed for my body	□	□	□	□	□
Easy to put on	□	□	□	□	□
Easy to take off	□	□	□	□	□

Indicate how the following factors influence your motorcycle helmet usage. (Items will be randomized)

	Influences to wear LESS	No influence	Influences to Wear MORE
Helmet laws of the State I live in	□	□	□
Increased risk of injury and fatality	□	□	□
Friends who I ride with	□	□	□
My riding community	□	□	□
Social media	□	□	□
Possibility of getting a ticket	□	□	□
News coverage about motorcycle safety	□	□	□
Family/loved one’s concerns	□	□	□
High cost of motorcycle helmets	□	□	□
Riding through a State with a mandatory helmet use law	□	□	□
Personal near miss/close call	□	□	□
Witnessing a crash	□	□	□
Learning about injuries among riders not wearing a helmet	□	□	□
Advice from a motorcycle professional	□	□	□
Advice from a medical professional	□	□	□
Other (please specify): _________________	□	□	□

How important is the fit of a motorcycle helmet to you?

Extremely unimportant

Somewhat unimportant

Neutral

Somewhat important

Extremely important

□

How important is the comfort of a motorcycle helmet to you?

Extremely unimportant	Somewhat unimportant	Neutral	Somewhat important	Extremely important
□	□	□	□	□

How important is having a highly protective motorcycle helmet to you?

Extremely unimportant	Somewhat unimportant	Neutral	Somewhat important	Extremely important
□	□	□	□	□

What are the top three things you consider when purchasing a motorcycle helmet?

1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________

Anthropometric Measurements for Motorcycle Helmet

(Data Collector will ask participant the following questions and record the answers)

(Data collector observes) Head shape assessment:

	Head Shape	Description
□	ROUND OVAL	Least common head shape Head is more spherical than their more oval counterparts Front to back/ear to ear measurements are nearly the same
□	INTERMEDIATE OVAL	The most common head shape Head is slightly thinner than it is long Front to back measurement is slightly longer than ear to ear
□	LONG OVAL	Less common head shape Head is substantially thinner than it is long Front to back measurement is longer than ear to ear

(Data collector measures) Head circumference: ____________ centimeters

(Data collector measures) Head breadth: __________________ centimeters
(Data collector measures) Head length: ___________________ centimeters

(Data collector observes) Did the participant wear a motorcycle helmet to the event?

Yes (Continue to Question 33)
No (Skip to Question 51)

Helmeted Rider Questions

(Data collector asks) Is this your usual motorcycle helmet?

(Data collector asks) How did you obtain this helmet?

Bought new in-store, tried on
Bought new in-store, did not try on
Bought new online
Bought used online
Bought new from a friend
Bought used from a friend
Bought used in-store, tried on
Bought used in-store, did not try on
Borrowed from a friend
Received as a gift
Other (please specify): _________________________

(Data collector asks) Did someone help fit you for this helmet?

Yes (please specify): ________________
No

(Data collector observes) Helmet type:

Full-face
Modular
Open or 3/4-face
Half-face
Dual sport
Novelty
Other (please specify): _________________________
Unknown

(Data collector observes) Primary / Most prominent color(s) (check all that apply):

Black
White
Brown
Red
Orange
Yellow / Neon
Green
Blue
Purple
Pink
Tan
Silver / Grey
Mixed / Graphic
Other (please specify): ________________

(Data collector observes) Helmet manufacturer:

AGV
Arai
Bell
HJC
Icon
Klim
LS2
Nolan
Schuberth
Scorpion
Sedici
Shark
Shoei
Other (please specify): _______________________________
Unknown

(Data collector observes) Model: ____________________________

Could not determine

(Data collector observes) Size: ______________________________

Could not determine

(Data collector observes) Manufacture month and year: _________________________

Could not determine

(Data collector observes) Safety labels (check all that apply):

DOT (meets or exceeds DOT FMVSS 218)
Snell (certification year): _____________
ECE
CE
Other (please specify): _________________
None present

(Data collector asks) Have you made any modifications to this helmet? (Check all that apply)

Face shield:
- Makes less protective
- No change in protection
- Makes more protective
- Could not determine
Bluetooth / communication device:
- Makes less protective
- No change in protection
- Makes more protective
- Could not determine
Liner(s):
- Makes less protective
- No change in protection
- Makes more protective
- Could not determine
High visibility stickers, decals, etc.:
- Makes less protective
- No change in protection
- Makes more protective
- Could not determine
None present

(Data collector asks) Have you added any retroreflective features to this helmet?

Yes, after-market / accessory added after purchase
No, accessory OEM / factory installed
No, none present

Motorcycle Helmet Fit Assessment

(Data collector reads the following to the participant) “I’m going to gently attempt to move the motorcycle helmet and make some other observations to see how well it fits. (If not already wearing their helmet) Please put your motorcycle helmet on as you normally would when riding.”

(Data collector observes) The chinstrap:

Is buckled
Is unbuckled (Skip to Question 47)
Is not present (Skip to Question 47)

(Data collector observes) Chinstrap fit:

Very loose (hanging with large visible gap)
Somewhat loose (hanging with visible gap)
Snug / just right
Somewhat tight (visibly tight under chin)
Very tight (visibly digging into or pinching skin under chin)

(Data collector observes) The cheek pad fit has:

No pressure
A little pressure
Snug / Just right
A little too much pressure
Way too much pressure
Not applicable (open-face helmet or skull cap)

(Data collector reads the following to the participant) “I am going to hold your motorcycle helmet still, and I want you to attempt to move your head up and down while I am holding it. Please attempt to move your head up and down a few times.” (Data collector grasps helmet to prevent it from moving and observes)

Cannot move head
Barely able to move head
Easily able to slide head
Head “rattles”

(Data collector reads the following to the participant) “I am going to hold your motorcycle helmet still, and I want you to attempt to move your head side to side while I am holding it. Please attempt to move your head side to side a few times.” (Data collector grasps helmet to prevent it from moving and observes)

Cannot move head
Barely able to move head
Easily able to slide head
Head “rattles”

(Data collector asks) When wearing this helmet for 30 minutes or longer, do you begin to experience any pain or discomfort? If so, please point to those areas now. (Data collector observes areas the participant points to and selects corresponding area on the image below, and checks all that apply)

Back of head
Brow bone(s)
Cheek(s)
Chin
Ear(s)
Forehead
Jaw
Neck
Side(s) of head
Temple(s)
Top of head
Other (please describe): __________________
None

New Gear Assessment

(The participant will complete the following section)

In this section, you will be asked for your opinions about different types of helmets. There is a picture and description of each item to help you evaluate it. For each item, assume the helmet fits, would come in the color you want and at an affordable cost.

(Note: Order of helmets will be randomized for each participant. The questions below will be shown with each gear choice.)

	Extremely unprotective	Somewhat unprotective	Neutral	Somewhat protective	Extremely protective
How protective do you think this helmet is?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to wear this helmet while riding?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to purchase this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely poorly	Somewhat poorly	Neutral	Somewhat well	Extremely well
How well would you be able to see out of this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

Extremely low

quality

Low

quality

Neutral

High

quality

Extremely
high

quality

What is the overall quality of this helmet?

□

	Extremely unprotective	Somewhat unprotective	Neutral	Somewhat protective	Extremely protective
How protective do you think this helmet is?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to wear this helmet while riding?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to purchase this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely poorly	Somewhat poorly	Neutral	Somewhat well	Extremely well
How well would you be able to see out of this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

Extremely low

Quality

Low

quality

Neutral

High

quality

Extremely
high

quality

What is the overall quality of this helmet?

□

	Extremely unprotective	Somewhat unprotective	Neutral	Somewhat protective	Extremely protective
How protective do you think this helmet is?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to wear this helmet while riding?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to purchase this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely poorly	Somewhat poorly	Neutral	Somewhat well	Extremely well
How well would you be able to see out of this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

Extremely low

quality

Low

quality

Neutral

High

quality

Extremely
high

quality

What is the overall quality of this helmet?

□

	Extremely unprotective	Somewhat unprotective	Neutral	Somewhat protective	Extremely protective
How protective do you think this helmet is?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to wear this helmet while riding?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to purchase this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely poorly	Somewhat poorly	Neutral	Somewhat well	Extremely well
How well would you be able to see out of this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

Extremely low

quality

Low

quality

Neutral

High

quality

Extremely
high

quality

What is the overall quality of this helmet?

□

	Extremely unprotective	Somewhat unprotective	Neutral	Somewhat protective	Extremely protective
How protective do you think this helmet is?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to wear this helmet while riding?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to purchase this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely poorly	Somewhat poorly	Neutral	Somewhat well	Extremely well
How well would you be able to see out of this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

Extremely low

quality

Low

quality

Neutral

High

quality

Extremely
high

quality

What is the overall quality of this helmet?

□

	Extremely unprotective	Somewhat unprotective	Neutral	Somewhat protective	Extremely protective
How protective do you think this helmet is?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to wear this helmet while riding?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to purchase this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely poorly	Somewhat poorly	Neutral	Somewhat well	Extremely well
How well would you be able to see out of this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

Extremely low

quality

Low

quality

Neutral

High

quality

Extremely
high

quality

What is the overall quality of this helmet?

□

	Extremely unprotective	Somewhat unprotective	Neutral	Somewhat protective	Extremely protective
How protective do you think this helmet is?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to wear this helmet while riding?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely unlikely	Somewhat unlikely	Neutral	Somewhat likely	Extremely likely
How likely would you be to purchase this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

	Extremely poorly	Somewhat poorly	Neutral	Somewhat well	Extremely well
How well would you be able to see out of this helmet?	□	□	□	□	□

Extremely low

quality

Low

quality

Neutral

High

quality

Extremely
high

quality

What is the overall quality of this helmet?

□

Demographics

(The participant will self-report the following information)

In what State do you currently live? _______________________________________

Which license type(s) do you currently have? (Check all that apply)

Motorcycle endorsement
Motorcycle-only license
Motorcycle learner’s permit
Driver’s license
Commercial license
None of the above

What is your age? _______________ years

What is your sex?

Female
Male

What is your race and/or ethnicity? (Select all that apply and enter additional details in the spaces below)

American Indian or Alaska Native

(If selected) Provide details below:

Enter, for example, Navajo Nation, Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana, Native Village of Inupiat Traditional Government, Nome Eskimo Community, Aztec, Maya, etc.:

_____________________________________________________________________

Asian

(If selected) Provide details below:

Chinese
Asian Indian
Filipino
Vietnamese
Korean
Japanese
Another group (For example, Pakistani, Hmong, Afghan, etc.):

__________________________________________________________________

Black or African American

(If selected) Provide details below:

African American
Jamaican
Haitian
Nigerian
Ethiopian
Somali
Another group (For example, Trinidadian and Tobagonian, Ghanian, Congolese, etc.): ________________________________________________________________

Hispanic or Latino

(If selected) Provide details below:

Mexican
Puerto Rican
Salvadoran
Cuban
Dominican
Guatemalan
Another group (For example, Colombian, Honduran, Spaniard, etc.): __________________________________________________________________

Middle Eastern or North African

(If selected) Provide details below:

Lebanese
Iranian
Egyptian
Syrian
Iraqi
Israeli
Another group (For example, Moroccan, Yemeni, Kurdish, etc.):

________________________________________________________________

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

(If selected) Provide details below:

Native Hawaiian
Samoan
Chamorro
Tongan
Fijian
Marshallese
Another group (For example, Chuukese, Palauan, Tahitian, etc.): ________________________________________________________________

White

(If selected) Provide details below:

English
German
Irish
Italian
Polish
Scottish
Another group (For example, French, Swedish, Norwegian, etc.):

_________________________________________________________________

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