Well written article, I agree with his attitude on gear.
When I go for a "ride",the minimum I wear on my legs is Draggin jeans, but if I'm just going to the shop to grab a bite for lunch,I'll throw on whatever jeans are closest and my textile enduro jacket.
I'd hate to see compulsory minimum riding gear by law, because then everything we buy has to have a "special" tag
and that means a "special" price.
Everyone does the chance versus consequence math, we all did it when we decided to ride bikes,
It's part of the freedom we should allways have as humans.