It isn't that helmets don't help at all - they do. So much so that I think people should wear them all the time. Especially when walking down the street and the sidewalks are slick.

That was only slightly said sarcastically. Here is my take - ride with the helmet - and then ride like you don't have one. This will give you the best of all possible results.

Why should an old geezer who putters around on a bike be considered foolhardy for not having a helmet (I am think of Chipcom ) but someone ripping down a hill at 40+ MPH is considered doing something not foolhardy because they have a helmet on? Helmets are rated to 14 MPH if people didn't know it.

And with all respect to your nurse - it doesn't mean she understands vectors and forces. The helmet may well have saved your life - just like I am sure my life has been saved many, many times by going fairly slow.

Helmets don't make you superman (or women) - lets keep that in mind. Safe riding will do a lot more for you than any kind of protective gear.

And it appears from the report - dressing like a transexual bike rider in lycra might really help - but I am not sure it is worth it.