In a free society, people must be allowed to make bad decisions.

Sure... though if the costs of bad decisions are shared by other citizens/taxpayers/insurance premium payers, perhaps those others can be excused for thinking they have some say in the matter too. ;-) According to latest US stats:

- Direct costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $81 million each year in the US.

- Indirect costs of cyclists' injuries due to not using helmets are estimated at $2.3 billion each year in the US.

Apparently 80 kids per year die in cycling accidents in the US. 2/3 of cycling deaths are as a result of head injury.

Of course I respect your position and the time-proven principles underlying it. I don't like "big brother" behaviors either but in this case I believe it is a small sacrifice that serves a greater social good. I have seen more than one young life ended or changed irreparably when (for example) a cyclist was nudged by a car and ended up head-first in a culvert, so that probably colors my perspective.