Yes unfortunately it's dangerous riding a bicycle on public roads. Many expect the public to respect them but bicycle encounters have often left a negative impression in the minds of drivers because of large packs of cyclists riding main roads and slowing them down. Everyone hates a slow driver, why wouldn't they hate slow cyclists? The 'group rides' rely on safety in numbers and they will often ride two abreast taking up the entire lane, even when there is a single path beyond the painted line at the road edge. Yes I understand why, that's where you're likely to get a flat, and we as cyclists have the right to a lane, etc etc. But none of that matters a damn when your under the wheels of a car or taking a bullet in the back of the head does it.
It reminds me of the backpackers who get murdered in remote places in countries they have never been to before. They simply ignore the risks because of some personal gratification program running in their heads. As a motorist and motorcycle rider I know the value of keeping my distance from danger. From other drivers, and of using my mirrors to keep a constant track of where they are and if they are preparing to overtake me etc. I will sometimes move across my lane to allow someone behind a clearer view of traffic ahead if I think they are too close say, or I may just power away if that seems a good choice. There are many options on a motorbike, but none that apply on the bicycle. There I'm just a little unseen target with cars and trucks whooshing past me at multiples of my speed. My only offense is defense, get out of their way.
Most riders here I suspect know all this but there are many out there that have an aggressive stance toward riding. They think laws and demanding their rights will protect them, nothing could be further from the truth imo. Aggression only works if you have Power! A principle I utilize a lot on the sports motorcycles. On the pushbike though, electrified or not, I know I am basically powerless and ride accordingly. In the motorbike fraternity we have a saying, ride like you're invisible, and that principle has saved my bacon more than once. Bright Headlight on, taillight on, it doesn't matter sometimes. How much more invisible is a slow cyclist in the curbside wheel-track? I don't wait for them to move over, I move over, right over. In 25 years of cycling I have never ridden along a main road, typically always backroads and side streets and dedicated bikeways. Actually today I do ride along a main connecting road, often quite busy too. But not at 1am when I'm on it. Cycling in traffic is nearly always a personal choice we make to save a few dollars or save the environment, or just enjoy our cycling. I know one guy who could legitimately be excused as far as choice, he's an epileptic and made the decision years ago to ride rather than risking the lives of others lives a car.
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