As stated previously, best practise is to wear your helmet no matter location or your age. How do some governments feel they can legislate helmet use? I live in a province with free health care for all citizens and landed immigrants. I pay for that in my taxes. If you fail to helmet your child and the child is brain injured due to an accident we all have to pay for their long term care. Because I pay for your health care I get the right to have some input into your actions. In a society without socialized medicine you have the right not to wear a helmet and I don't have the right to say anything. If you are brain damaged, it is you and your family who will pay.

I prefer the former. Wear the helmet. It is best practise to do so.