Another point of anecdata: I paid $200 for a used Dutch bike and it has served me well over 3 years of snow,rain and locusts.(10miles biked daily anywhere from

Another point of anecdata: I paid $200 for a used Dutch bike and it has served me well over 3 years of snow,rain and locusts.(10miles biked daily anywhere from -25C to 35C). I wear my helmet mostly because of safety, but also because it is a bit like having a towel when traveling, police think you are a serious biker and never stop you.