🚀 go-pugleaf

Everybody on the internet always jumps to the conclusion that anyone
who promotes the wearing of bicycle helmets 
1. Favours pro-helmet legislation.
2. Thinks that helmet wearing is the ONLY safety procedure you should 
adopt.

I, plainly, from what I have written earlier, think neither.

Firstly, I think that visibility is THE most important factor in 
safety.
Secondly, cycling as much as possible on traffic-free roads.
Thirdly. Anticipation and knowledge of causes of accidents.
Fourthly. Well maintained bike with good brakes, alloy rims etc.
Fifthly. Helmet.

I cycle with other people. There is no doubt whatever that helmets
are very sensible in such circumstance. Ask Peter van Schaik, who is
the most anti-helmet person on the internet. Look at statistics on
head-injuries in American racers, pre and post helmet.

Finally: They afford NO protection unlesss worn properly.

I have only once banged my head in 10 years riding with a helmet.
I was standing on the pedals and my bottom bracket axle snapped.
Fell heavily, broke two ribs and whacked my head.
I would certainly have been concussed as I was on-road.
I'm glad I was wearing it.

The only scientific way this can be decided (who is going to do this?)
is to take 10000 cyclists. Instruct them all in proper helmet wearing 
warn them to not become careless because of it. Then ask half to 
wear and the other half not to. They should be matched for age,
experience, type of cycling, town and country etc.
Then you would get an answer.

This is as complex as trying to sort out the aetiology of heart
disease, there are so many factors involved.

Henderson discusses most of the publications I've seen on bike
helmets.