In a car vs. cyclist showdown, the car will win every time.

Might does not make right, but in the physical world, it doesn’t really matter. Even a Geo Metro, going up hill, outguns any bicycle, and no amount of self-righteous fury will undo a smashed skull.

That is why motorists, who essentially are commandeering missiles down our streets, must be cautious when driving near bicyclists. And now that the nicer weather has arrived (hopefully), and people hoping to shed some winter poundage and save gas on Friday as part of “Bike to Work Day” hit the road, more bikes means more caution is required.

However, sharing the road goes both ways. One of the things that irritates motorists the most about cyclists, besides the trim figures and cool clothes, is watching a bicyclist breeze through a red light.

On May 12, a 37-year-old Bremerton man on a bike, not wearing a helmet, was critically injured after a run in with a car on Fairgrounds Road, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The investigation found the man had run a red light and was then struck, according to reports.

For his trouble, he was given a helicopter ride to the Harborview Medical Center emergency room in Seattle. The 62-year-old Bremerton woman who struck him was given the scare of her life.

Fortunately, he was upgraded to satisfactory condition earlier this week. It is our sincere hope he makes a full, speedy recovery and is back in the saddle before long.

But the incident serves as a reminder to cyclists, in order to make our roads as safe as possible, it takes all of us.

Ride hard, but ride safe.