I want to make one more comment. It may seem at first that commuting by bike is awfully expensive. Some of the stuff seems outrageously expensive to me. It's tempting to get the $10 Planet Bike front & rear blinkies instead of spending $20 each on slightly better front and back lights, for example. And $10 Planet Bike blinkies are worlds better than what most folks use (nothing). But you find that if you spend a little more up front, you have reliable equipment that lasts longer.

It sure hurts spending more up front. And sometimes you simply can't afford to spend a little more, and you have to get by on the $10 blinkies or go without (really dangerous).

Just keep reminding yourself how much the equivalent expendature would be on a car.