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@Archie's_Grobags
If the discussion is to be about the selfishness of riding in a way that puts you at more risk then you could say it's just as selfish to ride with a worn chain, or cleats, or brake blocks, or even skidded through tyres. You could just as easily have a blowout as you approach a junction that can cause you to lose control and end up under a bus...i've pulled my foot out of my pedals due to worn cleats as i approached a junction...had i not been a competent cyclist i could have been hit full on.
Riding without bartape can be more dangerous in the wet, or without bar plugs...i see people doing both of those things even when they're wearing helmets.
While we're on the subject...is it selfish for people to ride bikes at all in a busy city that are clearly not competent yet?
I see people all the time wobbling about all over the road like an accident just waiting to happen, usually wearing helmets, putting other road users in danger...are they being selfish by not taking a cycling proficiency test at the age of 35 due to thinking they're too old to need to?
There are so many things that can be seen as selfish...is a parent selfish for doing a charity parachute jump to raise money for the local hospice, knowing that there is a chance the chute might not open?
If we all went through life trying to prepare for every possible outcome of every risky situation we'd leave the house dressed in a suit of armour and wearing a full face helmet.
Make up your own mind.