Inkwolf, I sure hope you were properly outfitted with a highly reflective bike and gear, etc. You simply cannot be too bright. Reflective material that brightly and unmistakenly depicts a bicycle's motion to motorists from far away is the only way to go. (Reflective tape on cranks and rims and other moving parts works well, for instance.)

If I recall you're relatively new to this bike-commuting stuff. As told in earlier posts, we're approaching that time of year where you'll likely more and more to be riding in the dark. Welcome to riding in inclement (and dark) environments.

I hope you and others entering their first fall and winter season will stick with it. All it takes is preparedness. Unlike me, however, you have the cold to contend with as well. I think I'd much rather have a nasty El Nino in San Jose than a cold spell in Wisconsin but I honestly don't know since I've never slogged through a cold climate while bike-commuting. It may be that multiple layers of clothing is enough ... but I'll leave that to others who know better.

Anyway, glad you're safe and sound.