I'm fourtunate to have a 4 mile one way back road commute with almost no traffic. People wave and I'm kind of known as "that guy on the bike." However, the novelty of being a cyclist translates into an unexpected rarity on the fast, no shoulder two lanes when I'm out for a longer ride. What I see happen is that people don't even hesitate to pass me. They never look ahead, or slow down at all. I'm convinced that one day an oncoming car is going to force one of them back into their lane and right into me.

I do wear a helmet longer rides (not commuting). I try to wear bright colors and I'll even put lights on any bike I ride after dark. I'm not going to start putting reflective tape and lights on my road bike all the time.

I know that I have a good chance of being hit if I continue to ride for a long period of time. I accept this and hope that if it does happen I won't get hurt that badly and I'll get to buy a new bike. Infact I joke that if I get killed before I can complete a Century I want someone to put my ashes in a water botle and ride one with me on board.

I'd also like to think that my being out on the road is making people more aware of bikes in general. Perhaps I've even convinced some people of what I now realize. Most of the places a person needs to go, you can get to by bike.