Chris L., when I said its dangerous to ride in the middle of the lane, I should also have said it is often the safest line. Unfortunately it's still dangerous...

I guess that would depend on your definition of dangerous. Life is dangerous, being born is dangerous, because in the end everyone dies. However, we need to look at things relatively. Every moment of our lives is a calculated risk. I'm incurring a certain element of risk sitting here posting this, too. However, I have decided the risk is not sufficient to stop me from doing it. It's the same with cycling to work. I could just as easily say "sod it" and not go to work, but then I don't have any money. Well, I could go on the dole, but I wouldn't be able to survive for long on that. So I take the risk of going to work each day.

Now, there are a number of ways I can get there. Walking and catching the bus are impractical because they won't get me there on time (as is riding on the footpath). That only leaves either driving on riding on the road. Now roads are "dangerous" places at the best of times, however my bicycle has been extremely forgiving in all of the crashes I've ever had. I'm not so sure the same thing would happen in a car. Hence, I continue to cycle the roads. Dangerous? Maybe. However, compared to the alternatives...