Helmets vs Demographics?

[Downhill]

Recently I noticed that the proportion of cyclists not wearing helmets appears to be higher in working class suburbs than in more affluent areas. Is this an accurate observation? Has anyone else noticed the same thing?

And no, this is NOTa "pro" helmet vs "anti" helmet thread, so let's not turn it into one. I'm more interested in the relationship between cultural demographics and cycling safety. If the assumption is correct, then it raises a few questions. For example, is the age of cyclists in less advantaged areas much lower? Are there more cyclists per head of population? Is there less cycling education? Is cycling safety a lower priority? Is not wearing a helmet simply the norm? Is cost a factor? Does cycling infrastructure play a part?

So the real questions are: (a) Does the number of cyclists wearing helmets vary by demographic, and (b) if so, why?

[you cannot be sirrus]

Never observed that but why would you assume someone riding in a "working class suburb" is from that suburb (or vice versa) and not simply someone from Toorak (as an example) riding through to somewhere else.

[Comedian]

Interesting observation. I'm not sure it's universal though. I believe the Gold Coast has quite a bit of "Helmet Freedom" and it is not normally regarded as a poor area.

[mikesbytes]

[mod]Please use the helmet thread[/mod]