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I park anywhere on my bike, carrying up to 4 shopping bags, and get good gas mileage for a '96 bike. You want to 'park', you can't beat it. Bikes are also cheap to buy, maintain, insure and license. The Smart Car seems a blend of car and bike...except it get's crappy mileage for such a small car. Not so smart really. The "KindaSmart" car?
I think bikes are, A, as unsafe as the people driving them, and B, as unsafe as the other people on the road. I've driven for 26 years, in Chicago and Minneapolis, and only had two accidents - both my own fault, and only involving me - once drinking and once that nasty oil slick in the center of a wet road. The Smart Car also seems to have a 'safety' issue. The death of the SUV/Pickup/Van will help that along.
As for the other people, I'm actually suprised at what good drivers there are, especially in Minnesota, where people tend to be calmer and slower - and especially now in the gas crunch. But of course, you have to be hyper-aware on a bike to read their tiny minds when they decide to change lanes, or turn, or open their car doors while not looking.
No one, of course, can prevent the drunk who goes through red lights or stop signs.
