"There is no evidence that shows bike helmets seriously decrease the risk of death or injury. Therefore I won't wear one."
There is one source of injury records that would benefit more analysis. That is Hospital Episode Statistics where the majority of A&E admissions for children injured whilst cycling have 'no other vehicle involved'. I think it would be valuable to know how head injuries feature as a proportion for this group.
Those stats might form the basis of a study to clarify what helmets are actually good for (or at least ought to be good for if built to their own safety standard) - eg test the statement "helmets only reduce injury in low speed impacts".
DfT now compare police and hospital records but perhaps commissioning some more in-depth studies would help.
There must be an empirical answer out there somewhere, all the rhetoric just keeps on (t)rolling year after year.
"There is no evidence that shows bike helmets seriously decrease the risk of death or injury. Therefore I won't wear one."
There is one source of injury records that would benefit more analysis. That is Hospital Episode Statistics where the majority of A&E admissions for children injured whilst cycling have 'no other vehicle involved'. I think it would be valuable to know how head injuries feature as a proportion for this group.
Those stats might form the basis of a study to clarify what helmets are actually good for (or at least ought to be good for if built to their own safety standard) - eg test the statement "helmets only reduce injury in low speed impacts".
DfT now compare police and hospital records but perhaps commissioning some more in-depth studies would help.
There must be an empirical answer out there somewhere, all the rhetoric just keeps on (t)rolling year after year.