I love cars too, but I would much rather drive one with a stick shift, not because I think it would outperform an auto, but because it forces me to be more in tune with the car and its surroundings. I am not tempted to do anything else while I'm driving because, well, I can't--I don't have a free hand. Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to avoid a collision when driving. I would say that the same thing goes for a bike. If you've been riding a while and are used to frequent shifting it comes second nature to you. Driving a manual is also more fun, especially if you know how to do it properly.