Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: reasons why i should get a bike?, convince worried safety gas beginner

Question
I'm 17 and i need a cheap way to get around. I'm sick of bad gas milage on cars and my parents are making me pay insurance on two new BMW's (really high). I'm highly mature and I have been an avid cyclist (on and off road) for as long as I can remember. I also am studying to become a mechanical engineer and I am highly knowledgable about mechanical systems and the function of vehicles (know how to handle a bike). I'm interested in getting a 250 dual sport because it will get awsome milage and have a low insurance. HOWEVER, my parents will not even talk to me about gettig a bike because they have a huge misconception about the safety of motorcycles (I've read the "Hurt Report" and bicycling on the road is a higher risk activity and i do it all the time without my parents caring). What should i do to get my parents to let me get a bike?

Answer
Get them involved. Humans fear what they do not understand. Sign up for the MSF basic course, and have your folks take the course with you. Demonstrate your commitment to doing it right, buy really good protective riding gear, and keep them informed the whole way.

A 250 D/S is a VERY GOOD starter bike, shows you're more interested in the efficiency of motorcycling, rather than going out hotrodding around like most people your age!

Pat