Helmets, anti-lock brakes, sunscreen -they all seem like they should make us so much safer and healthier, but as it turns out, they can actually put us in more danger, largely because we take our safety for granted once we have these protection measures in place. Read about these and other safety precautions that actually make you less safe in this great Cracked article.
Link
As far as I know, there has never even be a definitive study of how likely you are, if you have an accident while cycling, to land on your head.
It seems logical to assume that if you did land on your head they might be of some use, admittedly. But I don't think that anyone knows, scientifically speaking, how much.
I support the freedom to choose, but I can be honest and admit that a helmet DOES protect your head.
As you rethinking that, bear in mind that car drivers are less cautious near cyclists with a helmet than those without. That research was mentioned in the article.
Basically this whole debate is detailed in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#Science:_testing_the_hypothesis_that_helmets_are_effective and there's scant evidence that cyclists with helmets are any safer overall than those without.
Go in to all the silly statistics you want about their usage and motorists. I don't care
Go ask anybody with experience with crashes, such as emergency room employees about riders with and without helmets. Be ready for the horror stories
Helmet safety really isn't up for debate. Yes, it's a personal choice, do whatever you want.
From the link by Andrew Dalke:
"The protective effect of cycle helmets has been studied mainly through case-control studies and time-trend analysis.
Case-control studies usually show a large protective effect on head injuries while time-trend analysis usually show no protective effect at all. No randomized controlled trials have been done on the subject."
Interesting dilemma. So should I wear a helmet or not?
They're right about ABS; -alone.
BUT the addition of ESC/Traction Control when added to a car with ABS, Does have a very marked downward effect on accident rates.
And ESC is oftentimes so invisible, the Peltzman Effect does not occur.
++Love the Unintended Consequences cited in that article, though. Hilarious!