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@brokenbetty
Well, half speed is a misunderstanding on your part, it's more like 2/3 speed. But I get what you are asking and my answer is the latter, exactly as I would advise any driver who claimed he "had" to drive fast to get to work. If your "normal" speed is dangerous it should not be your normal speed. (And if it's not dangerous you don't need a helmet, do you?)
I don't think saying "wear a helmet if you are going to ride too fast" is good advice, because the person choosing to ride fast is also increasing risks which as you have already acknowledged a helmet doesn't help with. To imply a cyclist can increase their speed beyond their safety zone, slam on a helmet and have no net increase in risk is just wrong.
So I didn't say I wear a helmet if I want to ride fast. I don't want to ride fast in London. I wear a helmet on an unfamiliar bike with aggressive (faster) geometry because I think the combination of unfamiliar bike, poorer visibility, handlebar-mounted brakes and compromised handling at low speeds makes me more likely to fall. Not more likely to be hit - I don't think a helmet is going to help there - but to fall due to a misjudgment.
I think helmets have their place in sports and racing where people push themselves and ride right at the top end of their ability and accidents are less likely to involve a motor vehicle. I think anyone riding right at the top of their ability just for transport is (a) a fool, and (b) exposed to risks for the majority of which a helmet adds no protection at all.