When I moved to OR, I also "refused". After a short time, I found I just wasn't happy when I stayed off the bike for months at a time. All the hiking in the coast hills I did just couldn't substitute for the unbridled joy I get in the saddle. Even though no one was wearing hi viz vests, I went to the local industrial safety store and purchased one, as well as an ANSI class 3 rain jacket. I bought ridiculously expensive lights, made some reflective ankle bands and got back on the bike.

Thirteen years later, I'm so used to the barbaric behavior of Oregonian motorists that I am pleasantly surprised a couple times each year when I return to ride in NorCal and rediscover what it is like to ride without concern regarding the next car that will pass. It still bugs me that my life is put at risk for no reason at all by some suburban-dwelling moron, but I am still happier to ride not.