I too am a bike rider. I ride for exercise and recreation. I do not ride in heavy traffic areas and when volume is high. I would like to ride my bike to work a couple of times during the week, but there is very little to no shoulder and commuters are very intolerant on my route in to work. On my rides, I ride to the rules of the road and wear a helmet. I have even added a blinking light to my service bag. I ride defensively and offensively. Defensively, because I have rights to the road. Offensively, because I value my life. I triple check intersections and do not ride with iPod stuck in my ear (one of my favorite pet peeves).
Last year in Pelotonia I had to remind about 100 people that we are "guests" on these roads. Double file max, stay as close to the right as possible, no crossing the yellow line, announce cars coming up behind. A lot of these riders were new beacuse they were part of a corporate sponsor and really had no clue. You would have thought that I had just landed from Mars. >> Let me ask a question - What side of the road do you walk on? <<
I will defend my right to my little portion of the road, but I will not jepordize my life. Give us our space and as Cat said earlier in about 30 seconds you will be clear of us.