It doesn't matter how good of a rider you are as everyone makes mistakes. The point of gear is to help mitigate the damage when someone does make a mistake, be it you or another rider/driver. I've been out riding with people that have gone down due to mechanical issues as well, like a chain snapping while engine breaking into a sharp corner or a tire going flat. People wreck for all sorts of reasons every day, it is just a matter of time before you go down as well.

You also have to remember gear only helps protect you, it is not an invincibility suit. So while I understand there are extremes, from the sandal and wife beater squidbillies to the full leathers race day track suit wearers, you just have to find the level of gear that is right for you. Personally, I wear a helmet, gloves, and jacket at a bare minimum, but again, to each their own. After all, only you are going to pay when the day finally comes that you get up close and personal with the asphault.

RIP to the rider in this story, we'll never know if gear could have saved his life. And I hope the SUV driver does time in prison.