From the wikipedia page regarding the "australian bicycle helmet law" I read this: For example, one recent French study analyzing over 13,000 cyclist casualties during a ten-year period "confirms the protective effect [of helmets] for head and facial injuries," and finds that "the reduction of risk is greater for serious head injuries. The study is inconclusive about the risk for neck injuries."[45] The most widely quoted case-control study, by Thompson, Rivara, and Thompson, reported an 85% reduction in the risk of head injury by using a helmet.[46] It has been suggested that these studies may be fundamentally flawed.[47][48][49][50] [51] [52] Thompson and Thompson have rejected these criticisms.[53] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#Case-control_stu...

Are you suggesting something along:

1. Cyclists wearing helmets are prone to take risks because they are wearing helmets ? ;

2. people don't want to ride bikes because they don't want to wear a helmet because they don't like the look of it and as a result of that they might do less exercise activities than if they could have ride helmet free ?

edit: I found this: http://www.cycle-helmets.com/

There are some frightening points being made (and contradictory to my position) but I have some tingling doubts about some. Have to read it with more attention later.