yes, proportionally, I would say that helmet use here is much lower than in the U.S. But, of course, the number of people on bikes is much, much higher here--for commuting, for shopping, for exercise by both the average Hans and the serious athlete, and I am talking all age groups (5-90). I see a lot of helmets on children, but rarely on their parents. The more serious athletes seem to wear them a bit more. But, in my view, not enough of them put them on.

I'm not sure that I care that much about insurance costs. I take it as self-understood that we as a society should cover each other, even when we do some dumb things. But, I do care a lot when I see someone unnecessarily bleeding from the head at the side of the road.

cheers,
jamie