i suppose so...i mean, we try to "educate" when we have the chance, but i don't think it really becomes understandable until you get the feeling of not having seatbelts, side imipact doors, airbags, etc, and being passed by giant pieces of metal going at 35 mph--sometimes being passed TOO closely, and sometimes being hit. that's when you notice that, hey, drivers do some really stupid, unsafe ****. so you're probably right about that.

oh, and i do, of course think riding a bike is worth that. and worth the portland rain and the summer heat and aching muscles and all that wonderful stuff.