Originally Posted by jacquisun
...All the while having a safe road and caring drivers...
When you find that utopia, please let us know. Safe roads and caring drivers are not universal in any location I've ever seen. Make the best of what you have. Do your best to educate the drivers by waving and forcing them to recognize you as a human. Do your best to persuade the authorities to accommodate and encourage cyclists by building wide shoulders and plentiful bike paths.