I seem to have injuries from accidents that are far worse than the average person would experience in the same accident. That being said, I went on a 10 mile ride in Aspen last summer on a cinder flat path (rails-to-trails, maybe?) that intersected no roads and had no other cyclists. And I was on a mountain bike going about 8 mph. That ride, in jeans and no helmet and just smelling the mountains and the river, was bliss.

I can't imagine - with my luck - not wearing a helmet anywhere besides a trail identical to that. But I certainly appreciate the feeling of freedom without one.