In response to Sharon Young's letter (Gazette, Aug. 24) "It is a proven fact that helmets prevent injury."
This is not a proven fact. Cycling bylaws actually decrease ridership, leading to fewer cyclists on the road. Research shows that the more cyclists there are on the road, the fewer crashes there are, because as drivers see more bikes, they watch more closely for them. You can easily find this information online.
Helmets are crucial to individual road safety, but a bylaw is a barrier to increased ridership. This issue must be roundly explored rather than accepting outdated views.
Steve Zenert, St. Albert
