I'm probably going to get blasted for this but I have to say my thoughts about all this.
First, glad to see you're ok. You are very lucky.
Now, I am a firefighter/medical first responder and my son is an emt. I personally have picked up several people off the highways and back gravel roads around here who have had mostly motorcycle accidents. 1 or 2 walked away with a few scratches and sore. The rest were either serious injuries or DEATH.
Now, I realize you were on a bicyle and there is a difference in the 2 when it comes to accidents. But not that much. I simply don't see anyone's logic in thinking that just because they are riding a motorcycle or bicycle that they somehow are magically seen by everyone on the road. Simple logic should tell you that it is much easier to see a motor vehicle than a bike. It should be mandatory that all cyclists rather motorcycle or bicycle should be required to wear ANSI Class 2 compliant garments while riding so they can be better seen. Maybe it is where you live, but not where I do.
I realize you have every right to ride you bicycle out on the roadways and that every motor vehicle must treat you as any other vehicle out there. However, a motor vehicle is required (at least here in Missouri) to have it's lights on 30 minutes before dark and during low light and rainy conditions. Yet, you are not required making it even more difficult to see a bicycle. Also, you as a cyclist should realize that those cars coming at you may not see you as easy as a car because of the sun, low lights conditions, rainy conditions, etc. Yet, most people who ride don't seem to think about that. Even motorcycles are required to ride with their lights on to make them easier to see.
I've picked enough people off the highways to realize that you are not going to fair well at all when you do have an accident. I've known many bikers, most motorcyclist and almost all of them have been in a wreck of some sort on the highway. I've know many people, myself included who have had wrecks in motor vehicles. The seriousness of the injuries with the cyclist has always been more sever than with motor vehicles as a whole. Not that there hasn't been serious injuries and death with the motor vehicles, just per capata (<-spelling?) the seriousness is less with car wrecks than cycles. I'll take my chances in a car wreck anyday.
Yes, everyone takes their life in their own hands everytime we get behind the wheel or on a bike. Yes, we all have certain responsibilities whichever mode of travel we take. However, we now require safety belts to be worn in all cars, airbags completely surrounding the passenger areas of cars, lights on all sides to be seen, etc.
But, it isn't required with bicycles. Yet, they still are allowed on the road. Isn't that unfair to the motor vehicle driver? Shouldn't bicycles also be required to have at minimum flashers, turn signals, lights, reflectors, etc.?
And, aren't you placing the motor vehicle driver at risk when you drive your bicycle without at least some type of reflective/high visibility garment to be better seen? I hope that you do wear high vis garments at least when you ride, but most cyclist don't.
I could go on but I'll shut up and let everyone here tell me what a moron I am and how stupid my ideas are. I just hope I don't ever have to pick you up off one of my local highways and have you air lifted in a helicopter because you've had a wreck or been hit on you "child's toy".
Yes, you have every right to do so. Just like you also have a right to jump off a cliff, go skydiving without a chute, or play russian rollete. Ain't very smart to do those things because of the consequence of your actions, but you have every right to do so.
