I'm always preaching about helmet usage too. It just doesn't make any sense not to wear one. I've been saved a couple of times from major head injury as have quite a few of my riding friends.

You could say that it is the rider's choice not to wear a helmet, but ultimately the medical expense that they will incur will trickle back down to the masses through increased insurances (at least in the U.S.) or governmental costs. So we all pay the price and the injured party pays the ultimate price or will indure pain and suffering as a result of a decision not wear the helmet.

I think a lot of people who just ride the bike paths or cruise around the neighborhoods for a casual evening ride don't think they need a helmet. I believe they think that only children or people who ride a lot on the roads need them. They don't seem to realize that falling off of a bike at even a slow speed can be fatal. It is at least three times the distance from your head to the ground as it is when you are laying in a bed and people have fallen out of bed onto a hard floor and been injured seriously and even killed. The brain is delicate and needs protection. I'm still incredulous when I see a local rider with all the nice cycling kit and bike without a helmet. Too macho I guess. But maybe dead macho too.