My wife was on her cycle, rear-ended by a car in broad daylight, and had quite a few serious injuries. I took a nasty fall last year (not by a car). Last month, in broad daylight and minimal traffic, car ran a stop sign AFTER SEEING ME, and I had a fall and serious rib injury.
I still ride the streets....until I can get to my nearby MUP. I also put my bike on the car rack and drive to other nice MUP's, some as much as an hour away. I, too, am 61 years old and have become "gun-shy." I do my best to stay on the side streets, and am ever-vigilant. The joy of riding outweighs the fear, but I'd be a liar if I didn't admit that the fear is present.