Brisbane is about to start a bike hire scheme with some 1500 bikes at locations around the city. The contentious issue of compulsory helmet use, and whether that will affect the success of the scheme is the subject of an ABC news article that can be found here http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/13/2871105.htm?section=business
A brief scan of the comments indicates a large degree of support for compulsory helmet use.
Maybe Australia should introduce Compulsory helmet use while driving a car, I am sure studies would show that there would be fewer head injuries to occupants involved in car crashes if they wore a helmet. It would be right in line with Australias way of thinking and priorities, and you can conveniently store the helmet inside the car when not in use. What a great idea!
There is quite a bit of discussion about this issue on the site City Cycle Brisbane http://citycyclebrisbane.com particularly about the helmets
this is a great incentive which is possibly let down by the use of helmet laws. however there is no denying that helmets do save lives. keep in mind other bike hire schemes in brisbane that are locally operated to insure the survival of local businesses.