OP (me) lives in Vancouver, BC. Not a crapload of ice / snow here. Studded tires ($50 / wheel, cheapest I can find in town) is hard on a student budget and might not be worth it considering that it's not habitually black iced over.

I have yet to see anyone actually rag doll themselves when they go down. I've seen a roadie rider tense up as much as he could because he pedal struck and was still clipped in.

I MTB, and I've NEVER seen someone go down with the bike. First thing you do when you realize you're not in control of the bike is to push it away from you. The only time where you might have someone hold on to the bike even after he or she's fallen off is if he or she deems it safer to grab the brakes on the bike to slow down to avoid a bigger crash.

I posted originally to help out people struggling with black ice or to remind those who have not had black ice this year so far. I didn't post to spice up an argument about what's better. Do what you feel is best and convince thoroughly and with civilized manner if you must convince. I'm thinking of foregoing some food to save up for winter tires if the winter gets worse, because so many have said that studded tires are the bomb.

Please, we're all riders here, let's not turn against each other.