"Bob" == Bob writes:

Bob That article is a load of ****.

It's a magazine article, not an academic study. Take it for what it is.

Bob * start with some stats (uncited) and draw a reasonable
Bob correlation between cyclist numbers and injuries "the more
Bob cyclists there are, the more motorists are aware of them and
Bob the more carefully they drive" * and then drive to a conclusion
Bob that helmet legislation is the cause (shouldn't it be the
Bob motorists not being careful enough)

A bit of a long bow. There's nothing new in this article and it can all
be traced to peer reviewed scientific papers if you're willing to expend
the effort.

Bob The only link is that mandatory wearing of helmets, at one
Bob point in time, discouraged cyclists, reducing cyclist
Bob numbers. I think everyone is over that by now - does it really
Bob discourage anyone anymore?

Absolutely. It's a hot and smelly inconvenience which is off-putting to
the fashion conscious. It's a bit of baggage that you need to lug
around and there is no proof that helmets provide any benefit whereas
there is substantial proof that helmets are detrimental.

Bob Wearing helmets, or not, has nothing to do directly with the
Bob actual incidence of accidents, according to the research it is
Bob the number of cyclists.

And requiring helmets directly impacts on the number of cyclists out
there. Of do you think the 30% drop in cycling when helmet compulsion
came about is purely incidental?

Bob But wearing helmets can impact outcomes. These however would
Bob not be identifiable in statistics because the number of deaths,
Bob while being too high already, is to low in Australia to draw
Bob real conclusions.

There is no proof that helmets are beneficial. It is a fact that in
every country that has helmet compulsion cycling has decreased
significantly which has a far greater impact on cyclist safety.

Bob The follow up claim on helmet effectiveness is apparently not
Bob supported with any particular research, it is only an opinion:
Bob "bike helmets are designed for bicycle-ground and
Bob bicycle-bicycle collisions rather than motor vehicle accidents,
Bob and are therefore ineffective in preventing serious brain
Bob injuries in such cases". More effective than skin and bones
Bob alone.

No, that is the manufacturing standards that helmets have to comply
with. There are no helmet standards for vehicle / bicycle collisions.

Bob Everyone do what they want, legally or otherwise, I will
Bob continue to wear a helmet that may save my life.

That's a very big may. I prefer not to entrust my safety to what is
essentially a piece of polystyrene designed to absorb the kinetic energy
of a fall from head height. That's all it does.
--
Cheers | ~~ __@
Euan | ~~ _-\,
Melbourne, Australia | ~ (*)/ (*)