I think it overstates the danger in popping down the road to the shop on your push bike, and has a part to play in the growing obesity epidemic amongst youngsters.

Parents are too fearful to let kids ride bikes, because of all the 'apparent' dangers.

If I had a child with a bike I'd make sure there was a helmet if s/he was riding on or near cars, but there are other times when a helmet wouldn't be necessary.

Helmets aren't currently a requirement for people rollerblading or using skateboards, and both of those acivities seem to me to be more popular than cycling, and kids fall from their skateboards much more frequently than from bikes.

I just think there is room for discretion, rather than mandating that whenever a person is on a bicycle, a helmet must be on the rider's head, for fear of prosecution.