There are some big risks in cycling, but you can arm yourself against some of the risks by riding smart. Stay loose on the bike and believe it or not, it's much safer to ride toward the front of a paceline. If there's a crash, you're more likely to avoid it if you're in the first third of the pack. If you're still nervous, grab some friends and practice skill drills on a field. Lightly bump into one another and practice putting out a hand to keep someone out of your line. Things like knowing how to bunnyhop and ride on rough pavement (you can practice on dirt roads) also pay off big time.