[rasengan0]

One can pour over all the meta analysis and rationalization to support a view, but until one has experienced the reality of head trauma, talk is cheap.

Here's more cheap talk: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001855/INJ_wearing-a-helmet-...

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD005401/INJ_bicycle-helmet-le...

Over 20 years ago, i rarely wore a helmet commuting, mountain biking. When you're young, life seems forever. Luckily, I had some sense to listen to my colleagues one day and wear my helmet while doing my usual run across some headlands. I was volunteering at a clinic at the time and frankly I was weary of the MD and NPs digging me for NOT wearing my helmet (they have seen it all). My styrofoam plastic encased ANSI helmet literally saved my life sustaining a rt temporal crushing cavitation that left me only with the standard clavicular fracture and embedded asphalt abrasions to my nasal bridge, upper and lower limbs that still reminds me today. Moreover, the logistics of the Nat. Park Service, the nearby public hospital emergency room, the public university insurance and my saviors at that free medical clinic further eased my burdens from this unfortunate accident.

Believe me, I applaud changes in public policy encouraging mass transportation with biking right up there in the fore, however, when it comes to health behavior/policy look at more data.

and maybe consider a seat belt and stop smoking, too.