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I didn't tell my family (parents/siblings) until after I took the course and got a bike, because I knew they would try to talk me out of it, and it would be harder to focus with that in the back of my mind.
Nobody in my family took it well. They were all upset, confused, and even hurt by it. I'm not surprised in any way and expected it. They know I'm not stupid, so it wasn't just some simple mistake. They know I accepted a very dangerous risk for no apparent reason. It is just sort of a flaw in my behavior that they can't figure out, and I barely can. There's no question that it's the stupidest thing I've ever done, yet I'm still doing it.
Probably the biggest help was my Dad's best friend thought it was cool, my Mom's dad rode a bike, and my sister jumped horses since she was a teenager which is actually MORE dangerous. They never even tried to stop her or research that even. But I knew all the facts so they realized I've looked into it.
Some of my friends got bikes, and instead of trying to convince them of their mistake, which seems like what I should be doing as a somewhat reasonable and caring person, I got a bike too. I did something that was inconsistent and unexpected for once.
If you are willing and able to accept a fraction of a percent chance per year of getting killed for whatever fun it is to ride, then go for it. Otherwise don't.
If you are careful and don't drink, don't drive crazy, and don't make a mistake yourself that causes you to crash, your chances are 3 or 4 times better. All that's left is some kind of environmental danger, mechanical failure, or someone running into you. Wear a very bright orange, yellow, or green jacket and it will reduce that by a little bit more at least. You'll be safer if you're in your 30's, but over that and accidents start to go up.
If you're not going to commute, you can just ride on a Sunday morning when almost nobody is on the road and I think you'll be very safe, yet also have a fun and relaxing ride. It helps if your idea of relaxing is trying to predict every way that everyone and everything around you can possibly wipe you out of existence.
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