here in New Zealand cyclists have to wear a helmet by law, so it sort of takes the desision for you !! you kind of get used to it but it does feel good when i dont wear it , espesialy in the summer but i do wear it 99.5% of the time as i think most of the auguments for it are valid, although for an adult it should be your own choice, if kids wore them from "go" they would be more likely to continue wearing them when they were older.