Today on my commute home on those same fine (ahem) streets of Chicago, I almost got killed by a car. I was riding somewhat to the right but not so far that I couldn't be seen (riding NW on Lincoln approaching the Irving/Damen intersection). Light was green and I started through the intersection going straight. I sense a car coming up behind me to my left. A large black SUV pulls up alongside me and slowly starts veering to the right. Suddenly I realize she's veering north on to Damen, so I slam on the brakes and sure enough, she just maintains her line and turns up Damen. This was not your standard speed up and pass right hook, this was someone who either did not see me or thought I was turning even though I gave no indication of such. Oh, and her turn signal was not on.

Later I almost got hit by a car deciding to take a U-turn at an intersection without looking.

So you know what, I'm okay with taking the lane most of the time - you don't know if they are turning left up ahead or avoiding dangerous situations at intersections or what.

Of course the cyclist's behavior after he got honked at is inexcusable but I've been known to lose my cool and flip off a honking car now and then.