When I first tried clipless pedals, I tipped over and slammed the back of my head into the pavement. Thank heavens for my helmet! The helmet seemed to be fine, but a couple weeks later, I dropped it and it cracked in two. There is no way I would ever get on my bike without my helmet on. It bothers me when other people don't wear helmets because as mentioned previously in this thread, it becomes everyone's responsibility when someone gets hurt and doesn't have health insurance. And lots of people in CA don't have health insurance.

CA has a helmet law for motorcyclists (I'm actually shocked we don't have a bicycle helmet law yet). The other night, I noticed a Highway Patrol car stopped on the other side of the freeway. Next I saw a motorcycle (also on the other side) driving the wrong way on the shoulder. He was not wearing a helmet. I guess he saw the cop and instead of passing him and getting a ticket, he decided to drive the wrong way back to the last on ramp. I found this kind of entertaining.