Tough crowd.
I hear it all the time with bicycles and motorcycles. I've been riding/commuting on each since an early age.
Thank them for their concern.
Hope your wife supports your decisions -- though I'm sure she understands. Also, If they think down around the Big O is bad come up here to Pinellas County!.
Unlike other posters I don't think any of these people are vicious or "telling you to get the...out of their way."