As I tried to establish some posts ago, Tunisia ≠ Southern California. What you espouse as "safer positioning" I classify as "suicidal."
BTW, An "irrational fear" is being afraid of earthworms, or terrified of ghosts. Being wary of getting hit by a car is not a fear, much less an irrational one. It is a genuine concern. It happens to cyclists every day.
Afraid means you don't go out and ride on roads-- plenty of people chose this option. I do not. I also do not recommend people engage in behavior that is willfully dangerous.
Taking the lane as a matter of right might work there. It absolutely does not here.
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