[bkrull]

Honest question for cyclists - why do you continue biking?

It sounds like cycling is far more dangerous and potentially deadly than driving. As others mentioned you'll never "educate away" the problem. The road system is clearly not designed for cycling so both drivers and cyclists are annoyed.

What is it that you get out of cycling to make it worth the risk?

[rwallace]

Two things that may be worth taking into account:

1. Most people have a value system that doesn't refer only to themselves. Driving has staggering negative externalities. Every time somebody forgoes a car for some - any - other method of transport, everyone on the planet becomes a little better off.

2. Daily exercise is one of the few things really demonstrated to significantly improve your health, productivity and lifespan. If you have the temperament or willpower to go to the gym everyday, that's fine. If not, being able to make your mode of transport double as exercise is arguably worth significantly increased risk.

[Zak]

The cost of keeping a car legal to drive (insurance, registration) for a year is enough to buy a fairly nice bicycle. That doesn't count the fuel and maintenance costs if you actually drive the car nor the cost of buying the car. In many areas, parking is very limited, but there's usually something sturdy to lock a bike to or the option of bringing it inside. There's also the bit where a commute is also a workout.