We may need to distinguish between "helmets saving lives" (which they don't often do?) and "helmets preventing some injuries".

I'm not sure a helmet would make much of a difference in a violent collision or serious crash. But personal experience shows me that it can be useful in preventing concussions during less serious incidences. My example (already used a couple of times in this thread) is that in 1991 I had a low-speed (prolly 10mph) collision with a car on a bike path that threw me to the ground. I suffered a PITA concussion because of having no helmet. In 2003 I was helmeted and had a very similar crash and bopped my head on the cement again pretty hard - this time with a helmet - and didn't have to get treated for a concussion. They def have their place, and I don't think they should be classified as "a little better than completely worthless" [MENTION=373404]CarinusMalmari[/MENTION]