JoeyBike

I started cycling in a busy city grid at 15yo and continued into my 60s. In the early years I owned cars and motorcycles but preferred cycling because I basically never had to stop (even at red lights and stop signs) and no traffic jam was ever going to slow me down much. I guess I "hardened up" to the mean old motorists but mostly letting out a devilish laugh time and again as I left those trapped, idling heaps in my dust. I guess in those years when I had motor vehicles at hand that I realized the nobody was MAKING me ride my bike into "harms way". The choice was mine. So pretty quickly I started taking all the motorist's BS in stride to the point that two minutes after any confrontation I just forgot about it. I learned how to ride to minimize cars overtaking me and was never too proud to bail to some quiet side streets when my nerves got frazzled.

I guess the key to happiness while cycling around traffic boils down to EXPECTATIONS. When I push off on my bike my expectations are very low - I fully EXPECT to be disrespected by mean people and overlooked by distracted drivers. If I were to roll out with expectations that motorists should do what they are SUPPOSED to do, along with being alert, respectful and nice, I would be a miserable SOB or just DEAD by now.

Yes, I am "fair game" by my own choice. I alter my routes and techniques to suit the situation but also chose NOT TO RIDE at certain times and places. I'm certain this eliminates a lot of potential angst aimed at me.