In response to this article posted by a friend Dixie:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/16/2983587.htm
I'm partly in favour of this Dix. True: fewer helmets will mean more people on bikes, true: road safety campaigns do help and true: more helmets means less head injuries per accident. His point, the number of accidents aren't reduced with helmets. They are not a preventative measure, rather band-aid for later. The missing link here is the "driver" and associated infrastructure. Are drivers in Australia aware enough of cyclists? I would argue not. I've been hit several times and had close calls hundreds of times. Though, without a helmet I may not have been here to write this note.
In EU drivers are far more aware of others on the road. Getting a license here is far stricter, the road rules are stricter and for that matter roads are safer; in my opinion. Similarly, the acknowledgement of cyclists in EU has led to a real investment in bike paths which lead to better safety when cars and bikes require co-existence. In the EU many people do wear a helmet even though it's not compulsory.
Let's add the ability for bikes to be taken on public transport and we are starting to build a network for bike users who can travel long distances with public transport and make the smaller connections with their bikes. I think there is nothing cooler than rolling to work on your Holland style town bike or Fixie for the more adventurous.
All our cities in Australia could facilitate this form of transport. Our weather is perfect for it. Roll the leg over, and ride to work I say!