I chose a motorcycle because I do feel safer keeping up with traffic. I really really wanted to make a bicycle work, but it was outside my risk/comfort zone. On a motorcycle I'm maybe times more likely to get in a fatal crash. I can live with that
.
P.S. I spent many years with no other transportation than a motorcycle, good times, driving on ice and snow a couple times a year
. There's folks with no vehicle at all, anything is possible.
And cost, well a few hundred for the bike purchase and like $80/year in insurance, and awesome MPG. Compared to a car I'm lightyears ahead in cost.