Here in America, too much is made of riding without a helmet. I rode to work on a hot day a while back without my helmet but instead wore my cycling cap on my head. I have ridden since about 1963 all the way to 1980+ without a helmet and for several years recently, as do millions of others around the world.

I had to laugh the other day while riding without a helmet, I saw two cyclists, both with helmets, riding without their hands on the handlebar. That seems way more risky than not wearing a helmet. I am definitely not a Dutch hater and I applaud their use of the bicycle in everyday life and I think their lack of helmet use along with millions of Asians and other Europeans says quite a bit about their healthy mindset regarding cycling.