[wastoute]

I see it like riding a motorcycle, which I do. One learns driving a motorcycle that in order to survive you have to assume every single driver is out to kill you, personally.

[stars & stripes forever]

A good friend of mine was riding his motorcycle in a small town when a car missed the stop sign and hit him head on. His skeletal frame was literally broken in two.

Miraculously he survived without lasting injuries.

[Cboldt]

-- One learns driving a motorcycle that in order to survive you have to assume every single driver is out to kill you, personally. --

Exactly. The ones behind you too. They either don't see you, or if they do (the eye contact thing) it is their mission to hit you.

I carry the same attitide when in a cage (car) or as a pedestrian.

Also, turn signals are used to fool you, not inform you. Opps, changed my mind, going straight. I've avoided at least ten accidents this way.

[Tennessee Conservative]

Exactly the same except that bicycles go slower. We used to ride a motorcycle too. In fact, we went on our honeymoon on one. It finally got so bad trying to dodge cars to keep from getting killed that we quit. I enjoy my bicycle but I don’t put myself in danger. I prefer Greenways and off-road trails now but will get out on my country road at times but only in daylight. I have a flashing light mounted front and rear and I wear a bright yellow shirt when I ride to make myself more visible. I’m in more danger of being chased by roaming biting dogs than I am being run over by vehicles.

[ican'tbelieveit]

There are MANY motorcyclists out there that endanger themselves. I assume that every motorcyclist on the road is going to make an unpredictable lane change or acceleration move, drive at speeds much higher than prevailing traffic, flip in and out of lanes where there is not enough space or time auto drivers to respond.

On the rare occasion that we observe a law abiding motorcyclist, we are in awe.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I saw a teen on a motorcycle attack a car. I ended up pumping his chest till the ambulance came.

[Keyhopper]

Amen!
Loud pipes save lives

[Paal Gulli]

"I see it like riding a motorcycle, which I do. One learns driving a motorcycle that in order to survive you have to assume every single driver is out to kill you, personally. "

You're right as far as it goes but it's significantly worse for bicycles because of the relative differences in speed. But you have very little influence on what happens around you. Riding like every single driver is out to kill you won't necessarily prevent them from succeeding.