I started commuting to work back in late March to help lose weight. I've lost 40 lbs so far. Around early June where I live it got too hot to commute (100+ degrees) and I stopped but rode in the afternoon when I got home.

I seriously thought about giving up the commute earlier because of the distracted drivers. And I live in a VERY bike friendly city. Almost every day I had an "issue" with a car and I stopped at red lights, stop signs, and was a courteous rider. These weren't road-rage incidents where the driver got mad at me. These were incidents where drivers were just not paying attention. I didn't get mad I just turned on the radar when I left the house and work. That saved my bacon at least a dozen times.

Looking back on it I REALLY enjoyed the commute and would do it again but that fear started to set in just before it turned hot. At some point the odds will come to terms with time spent in traffic (no matter how safely and attentively we ride) and that will result in an accident. I am convinced of that now because of the cell phones, texting, talking on the phone, XM radio station changing, etc.

I don't have to commute now (work remote from my house) and am glad and still ride every day to keep the weight off. Because I get to pick the route now that I don't commute so far those "issues" are fewer than during the commute days.