Do Benefits of Bike Helmets Outweigh Obstacles to Riding?

Elisabeth Rosenthal reflects on the deterrent to cycling, and the use of bike-sharing systems, posed by mandatory bike helmet laws. Does the rare serious injury prevented by a helmet outweigh discouraging cycling's wider health benefits?

2 minute read

October 1, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


It turns out that mandatory helmet laws for bicyclists are largely peculiar to the United States, where the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
recommends that "all cyclists wear helmets, no matter where they ride," and just a few other countries. In cities like Melbourne, Australia, where helmet use is mandatory, such laws may be contributing to the dismal use of its bike-sharing program, contends Rosenthal.  

"One common denominator of successful bike programs around the world -
from Paris to Barcelona to Guangzhou - is that almost no one wears a
helmet, and there is no pressure to do so."

While helmets can prevent serious head injury in certain types of crashes, Rosenthal says that such falls are exceedingly rare in "mature urban cycling systems. On the other hand, many researchers say, if you force or pressure people
to wear helmets, you discourage them from riding bicycles."

"'Pushing helmets really kills cycling and bike-sharing in particular
because it promotes a sense of danger that just isn't justified - in
fact, cycling has many health benefits,' says Piet de Jong, a professor
in the department of applied finance and actuarial studies at Macquarie
University in Sydney. He studied the issue with mathematical modeling,
and concludes that the benefits may outweigh the risks by 20 to 1."

He adds: "Statistically, if we wear helmets for cycling, maybe we should
wear helmets when we climb ladders or get into a bath, because there
are lots more injuries during those activities."

Saturday, September 29, 2012 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

15 minutes ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

1 hour ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

2 hours ago - Cities Today

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA