One of the huge advantages of being an editor is being able to bypass the peer review process in some instances. Earlier this year the BMJ declined to publish a letter to the editor I wrote. It questioned the decision of the BMA Board of Education and Science not to recommend bike helmet legislation. The BMJ refused on the grounds of insufficient space. (Although I don't subscribe to every conspiracy theory floating around, it seems possible there were other reasons for saying no to this letter.) I believe the questions raised in that letter are of great importance to all involved in this debate. Accordingly, with a …