In some countries you have to wear a helmet with the C1.

"No protection" is not correct. The chassis is a rollcage, you are restrained with four-point belts.

There are crash test films online, showing C1s in various collisions with cars up to 40 mph. The dummies stay restrained and inside the C1, except for the odd arm or leg. The C1's compartment remains intact.

Here are some:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAgE_g29G7w&feature=related

A BMW engineer apparently rode a C1 at 30 mph into a brick wall, to prove a point. He emerged uninjured.

For real-world instances, the C1 forums keep a list of crashes involving their members getting t-boned, sideswiped, rear-ended, etc. Lots of stories of significant crashes resulting in minimal injuries, although admittedly arms and wrists get hurt. Much better than I think it would be on conventional two-wheelers.

Some nasty accidents - well, it is a motor vehicle, so unavoidable.

But for my purposes, the main appeal is the weather protection.

The MP3 is interesting too. A number of the bridges across the river have that scary metal grating. In the wind and wet, its not reassuring. Double front wheels would be nice.

Maybe I could get someone to fab me up a windshield and roof.

What is the bridge across the Columbia River, Bridge of the Gods or something like that? That was a little bit interesting one windy, rainy night.

Haven't ridden that one. I just ride around in town, referring to the bridges across the Willamette. I just have a scooter, so stay w/in city limits.

My buddy has a civic hx and regularly gets better than 40 mpg, claimed 55 when he was doing that hypermiler stuff

The standard econocivic is far cheaper than the hybrid

I'd need to quintuple my insurance before the misses would let me near a bike. :(