>>>(Look at Bicycle Deaths by Helmet Use 1994-2006 chart)
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>>Ok I'm not going to rummage around for stats but I have read that the decline in cycling caused by compulsory helmet use was not matched by a similar or greater decline in injury. Additionally the "safety first " culture is producing a generation of fat lardy kids who can't get off their asses for anything. Yes an individual head injury is a tragedy and some may be averted by helmets but a risk averse society is a much bigger problem. Bring back individual choice and common sense.
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>And actually I feel less safe with a bike helmet. The most important thing for me, as a bicycle rider on the street, is to know what's around me, where are the other vehicles. I tried wearing a helmet a few times, and it has completely screwed up my 3d hearing. I was looking behind my back just far too often, because I couldn't understand where is each sound coming from. And my field of vision was also somewhat smaller, but not by much.

I'm wondering what the automatic reaction is by drivers who come upon a biker without a helmet. I think someone posted a study here that demonstrated that when a driver comes upon a biker without a helmet they are subconciously more cautious than when they come upon one wearing a helmet. Perhaps I read that someplace else?