I remember back in the day we didn't have helmet laws...I didn't even own one and we didn't have seatbelts and airbags. I along with thousands of riders survived to talk about it. The state I live in requires helmets, so be it. I'm not sure I would wear one if it wasn't required. Something about being protected from myself irritates the dickens out of me. My goal in riding is to keep two wheels planted under me and avoiding contact with solid objects while in motion. It's worked for the past 38 years, helmet or not.