I grew up in the 1960's, and 70's, and we never wore helmets when we road bikes. Nobody did. When I got back into biking as an adult, I bought a Bell helmet, and have been wearing one ever since. I am not a safety obsessed person, but I like most others think it is a wise measure. I have seen people on club rides fall due to dogs, and other issues actually break their helmet when they went down, which saved their head.

Now, I don't bubble wrap myself either. In some ways our society has moved towards wanting a risk free lifestyle. Not going to happen.