Discourse on bike helmets.

Mandating bicycle helmets has been lobbied against by the cycling lobby here for years, main argument being it adds a barrier to entry for new riders.

I am a commuter and I've previously pedalled around 30mph. Even though I don't go that speed most of the time, I wear a helmet because I'd rather that break than my skull.

TL;DR - You wouldn't buy a $400 bike without a lock. You can afford to get a helmet.