Via Washcycle
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Of course there are problems with this because it just counts raw numbers.
It doesn’t consider if states with mandatory helmet laws have less cycling, and of course there is evidence that mandatory helmet laws do reduce cycling. So we have the numerator (injuries/deaths) but not the denominator (cyclists or miles biked). Here is another study that showed the same thing, but considered the change in cycling.
In recent years, many states and localities have enacted bicycle helmet laws. We examine direct and indirect effects of these laws on injuries. Using hospital-level panel data and triple difference models, we find helmet laws are associated with reductions in bicycle-related head injuries among children. However, laws also are associated with decreases in non-head cycling injuries, as well as increases in head injuries from other wheeled sports. Thus, the observed reduction in bicycle-related head injuries may be due to reductions in bicycle riding induced by the laws.
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