As many other riders I find shared pathways frustrating. I ride faster than most people and I actually feel more comfortable on the road with cars than on a shared pathway with slow cyclists, skaters, joggers, dogs, kids, strollers, etc. A lot of dangers of riding with traffic, short of a freak accident, can be avoided by defensive cycling (taking a lane, being visible, not taking risks with turning trucks,etc), using common sense, paying attention to your surroundings (situation awareness), exercising extreme care at intersections, and following the rules of the road (be predictable).

I avoid major roads though and, even if that means a longer route, I pick calmer streets.

If your number comes up you can be killed by a truck running off road and striking a bus shelter on the sidewalk while you're waiting for a bus, it happened in NYC.