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 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business