Goodbye Toronto's Bike Culture

Ed has a good point.

Overall societal health drops with the introduction of mandatory helmet use through a reduction in cycling uptake.

The drop in head injuries is eclipsed by the over all drop in societal health from casual cyclists being discouraged by legislation.

This is the very reason many countries have not imposed helmet usage.

In addition it is know that a helmeted, elbow padded, knee padded, hi-viz jacketed cyclist might take on board - with the safety apparel - an unwarranted sense of safety.

It really is not a simple case of simple extrapolation - more helmets - stronger heads - less injury - so many other factors have to be weighed up.

While most studies has not shown a decrease in head injuries after imposing a helmet law, we do not see the accidents that does not get reported where the there might have been a head injury if not wearing a helmet.

And as we can see by Eds bridge statistic, there was only a temporary drop in cycling until general acceptance of wearing a helmet.

And as you always say Tynan, where is the evidence of your claims ;)