Unintended Consequences - Bike Helments Edition

A recent paper by Christopher S. Carpenter and Mark F. Stehr finds that bicycle helmets do prevent injuries but they also prevent bike riding.

"Over 20 states have adopted laws requiring youths to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. We confirm previous research indicating that these laws reduced fatalities and increased helmet use, but we also show that the laws significantly reduced youth bicycling. "

I rode my bike everywhere until I could drive or bum a ride off a friend. My kids - not so much. More is the pity.