Bike helmets are mandatory Australia wide and it is enforced. I have no idea if the net effects are positive or negative but the behaviour is so normalised now

Bike helmets are mandatory Australia wide and it is enforced. I have no idea if the net effects are positive or negative but the behaviour is so normalised now people rarely question it. I don't think it represents a disincentive to people exercising or kids riding to school. It might have when introduced but I suspect other lifestyle changes have more impact. When I was a kid I had to ride a couple of km just to see a computer. I had two television stations and my only electronic game was pong so riding my bike was the only way to stay sane. Where it is a problem is you don't carry a helmet around with you so you can't just hop on a mates bike or hire a bike without putting someone else's helmet on which isn't attractive. I have considered hiring a bike when interstate but the helmet thing has always put me off.