I would never criticize any other adult for not wearing a helmet, just as I'd never harass any other adult for smoking. They're grown-ups, they mow their lawns, pay their taxes, and vote, they should be allowed to make bonehead decisions concerning their own health and safety. And I'll defend their right to make those decisions.

Just as long as I'm allowed to be as hi-vis-safety-vest-&-helmet-dorky as I want to be. Hey, I'm 55 years old next week... I don't care how cool, chic, hip, or stylish I'm not being. I consider myself well-dressed if I remember to wear pants.

I ride a lot in South Carolina, nice quiet rural two lane blacktop just across the river from my home. There is no moto helmet law in SC, and on my afternoon climbs to the lake, I get passed by all manner of motorcyclists, who not only aren't wearing helmets, but HAVE helmets strapped to their pillion seats! (In case they have to cross back into GA... I see 'em sometimes at the river, pulled over en masse, donning or doffing their helmets. Weird.)

I was talking to one such rider at the dam's welcome center. He tapped his head and said "You know, ya ain't gotta wear that thing up this way," talking about my very style-less Bell Image lid.

"Yeah, I know," I replied. "Thing is, my brain is worth more to me than yours is to you." Then I rode away. Good thing he was on a Harley... Once he realized I'd kinda-sorta insulted him, he might have caught up to me on a faster bike...