When riding in traffic, I assume every car passing me on the left intends to turn right in front of me at the worst possible moment, and I create an escape or stopping distance, accordingly.

When I follow a car in traffic, I assume the driver will slam on his brakes without warning or cause, at the worst possible moment, and I create space for stopping or escaping, accordingly.

When I come upon a street entering from the right, I assume a car will come from right at an impossible speed and that the driver will try to hit me as an act of cruelty, and I plan space for stopping or escaping, accordingly.

Every now and then, I still get surprised by drivers and I must resort to my superior bike-riding skills in order to escape an accident.

The statistics indicate, given the number of miles I ride each year, I will have a significant accident involving some small or great injury to me, on the average of every seven years.

Nonetheless, I find my skill and awareness increasing with every day I ride.

I do not ride "ballistically," and, even on coasting bikes, I do not rely on my brakes to avoid an accident.

Even on those rare occasions when I drive an automobile, if I need to use my brakes in an emergency manner, I look to myself for the cause and not to the other driver.

Having chosen to dance with elephants, we ought to recognize the elephants will more likely step on our toes than we on theirs; and, therefore, it makes sense to pay close attention to what we do with our toes in relation to theirs.