>>>>(Look at Bicycle Deaths by Helmet Use 1994-2006 chart)
>>>
>>>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.
>>
>>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?

I read, in a few places, the corollary to this - that drivers give helmet wearers less berth, assuming them to be more experienced.