Originally Posted by
closetbiker
Just how would he have known just what would have happened?
It's just speculation. A common one at that.
**The number of Australians whose lives have been "saved by helmets" [according to anecdotal accounts in the media] over the past decade is staggering. I estimate that here in Western Australia the helmet law has saved about 5,000 lives per year... based upon the claims by cyclists who wouldn't know what to do without a helmet law.
It's curious that the average annual cyclist death toll in Western Australia before law enforcement was just 7. -- Chris Gillham **
same thing happens here in BC. I hear it all the time. Funny thing is though that the death toll of cyclists for 10 years before the MHL made 70% of cyclists wear helmets and the 10 years since the MHL, death rates are exactly the same, so someones bull****ing.
Speculation is right. But you'd also be speculating if you tried to claim that with no helmets WA's death toll would still be 7. The introduction of Helmet laws was probably not the only thing to change in that time. FWIW I disagree with mandatory helmet wearing, due to the potential they have for discouraging people from everyday cycling. But OTOH I'll definitely continue to wear one, and I'll make sure my children do too.