If one takes the bother to read accident fatalities with bicyclists one will quickly learn that they die as a result of head trauma. If one does not want their first accident to be their last then spending $50 on a bike helmet is a smart move. New helmets provide good protection and good ventilation and UV protection at moderate cost. A helmet can also increase visibility so a motorist can see the cyclists soon and avoid a collision.

A friend that I introduced to cycling did not like to wear a helmet as it messed up her hair. The first day on her new bike she applied the front brake to tightly and flipped the bike and she struck her head hard on the pavement. After that incident she had no problem with wearing a helmet.

I am not in favor of everyone using a helmet (or a seat belt) as sometimes the gene pool needs garbage removal.