Quote: "The British Medical Association famously said that the risks of cycling are far outweighed by the health benefits of cycling." Phooey on the BMA.
On my lunch ride today I saw one of my neighbors on Weld County Road 1 (County Line Road), sans-helmet. That was unusual enough that my riding partners made some comments about it.
I mentioned this before, but Fat Cyclist is also moving because of a job change. He's ahead of me in the game, putting his house on the market. Before I can sell my house, I have to fill in the swimming-pool sized hole that my children have dug in the backyard in their attempt to visit China. I also have a fence to repair, walls to paint and repair, a broken doorknob to replace, and carpets to clean. Children are very hard on houses.
Oh, I currently live in a 2100+ square foot house with four bedrooms, an office, a living room AND family room, and three bathrooms. That means I have enough furniture to fill a 3000 square foot house with blah blah blah. There is no way I'll afford a place in California that will accomodate this furniture, which means you'll find great deals on used furniture at my home come garage sale time. Just about everything must go.
I think people should have a choice as well! Then again, if you ride without one you should also probably sign a hold harmless waiver for head injuries with your health insurance carrier and medicare and so on! I choose to wear a helmet and have seen what happens to it when it hits the road, and much prefer to sacrifice a bit of plastic and padding than my SKULL!
I was struck by a motorcycle on my side while biking (t-boned actually). The impact sent me flying off the bike and the road, and I landed on frozen ground between a mailbox and tree. I highly doubt that if I was not wearing a helmet, I would not be typing this today. Thankfully, I walked away unhurt. My advice, anywhere on a road with traffic, wear it.