About three years ago I bought a helmet for the first time. Among all the equipment I own it's the one I hate the most. I think it looks stupid, my head itches and it's a pain to carry when I get to where I'm going.
But then on Saturday I crashed my bike, and wasn't wearing the helmet for the first time in three years. (I was just going into towm to catch a train.)
Here's the thing: I crashed outside my house on about the second turn of the pedals, so I was probaly doing 2 mph. (The front wheel went in a drainage grill because I wasn't looking where I was going as I was in a rush.)
Even at that (non) speed it was a scary experience. I went straight over the bars and landed on my head. I was dazed for about ten minutes and I still have a large bump on my head. I shudder to think what would have happened at 10 or 15 mph. I seriously doubt I would be here to tell the tail.
I don't want to patronise anyone with lame advice, I can only speak peronally. But you will NEVER see me get on my bike without a helmet, even if it is to nip down the shops. It's been a lovely sunny day today and I want to see a few thousand more before I die. . .