Here's the problem: if I emphasis strongly that helmets do not change the statistics of serious and fatal head injuries people mistake that as implying that helmets are worthless. Even when I add entire paragraphs stating the obvious - that a helmet probably does help in most minor accidents which involve the head.

I don't see a DOWNSIDE of wearing a modern helmet. I just don't see any upside. Imagine how many helmets would be sold if they promoted them by saying "Helmets Help in Minor Accidents" instead of "Helmets Save Lives".

What is significant is that the real world performance of helmets has actually fallen considerably since the helmet industry saw that no one cares if they really work or not. Fact is that most people wear a helmet to look like a REAL(tm) Bicyclist. And since the fanatical helmet zealots don't hold the helmet industry accountable for the real drop in performance with the really cool looking helmets things will simply continue as they are until helmets grow too expensive for most people to buy.