Sometimes you have no choice! My friends think I'm insane to pay more than $69 for a bike, really don't understand why I don't watch tv and movies, and I'm single, so there you go. I've traveled all over Missouri to different trails, mountain and road, and I plan to take a riding trip to other states, Texas, Oklahome, Arkansas, Illinois and I have no choice, I'll do it alone and of course I love it. If I worried about the safety of it, I'd probably have to hole up in my house and miss out on a lot. I made a deal with myself, I work like a demon to get weekend stuff finished on Friday night, laundry, cleaning, etc, and then I hit the road on Saturday (guilt free) to ride a new trail somewhere in the state. I'm enjoying my life a lot more, seeing a lot, and having a blast. I say go for it! Of course get a road id, make good plans in advance and let someone know where you are. And then ENJOY!