You ride defensively according to your predicting traffic-activities through your individual or collective experiences with varying reflex and some such. But you really need to be aware that the future events are still unknown variable no matter how talented or experienced you are. A little precaution go a looooong way.

That being said you need to understand people go at it from different angles and according to their needs (and one's own tastes). Some people can do it many ways other than having brakes. Some people live in uber busy urban area with extremely self-unaware pedestrians who behave erratically at the best of time. ... and remember it is your taste as you which braking method / theory you call primary and secondary.

I don't believe tracking racing expertise with predictive and reactive skill can't be count much in different situations people face outside of tracks. (they are constantly changing too) The point of racing on track is to minimize distracting variables and stimuli so that competitors can concentrate on one thing, to go fast (for relatively short fixed distances). ... I am not discounting track racer tho; they are great in just other ways.

Logically, you being such a successful rider outside track indicates you do well in other areas. Man, I envy you. People so naturally good that they don't even recognize what make em great. ... I am too noob for that.