I have commuted on both motorcycles and bicycles for 15 years. I no longer ride a motorcycle. While it is obvious that you are very exposed on a bicycle, you are just as exposed on a motorcycle. A drunk running up behind your honda a 100 mph on the freeway is just as bad as a geriatric running up on your Surly at 30 mph on the street. An oncoming car crossing into your lane is just as bad as a truck swerving into the bike lane. On a motorcycle you do have the power to get ahead and stay ahead of traffic. But on a bicycle you have the option of riding the side walk if traffic is truly horrific. Running into something or loosing control and crashing on a bicycle sucks bad enough. But running into something or loosing control of and crashing on a motorcycle - while travelling 3 or 4 times the speed - sucks even worse. You stand a much better chance of walking away from the former. DanO