I don't know much about statistics, but at 61 years of age and riding for 40 or more years, plus being a close observer of my cycling friends, I'm convinced that:

1. Bicycling is extremely safe, especially when compared to a couch-potato lifestyle and its associated chronic illness
2. Collisions with cars are very, very rare. Among all my cycling friends that I actually ride with: None. Me? One bump, not serious, in 60,000 or so miles over 4+ decades. The activity of bicycling is just not dangerous - or at least not in my experience, which I consider extensive. Yeah, we all know stories, but . . .
3. Cyclists attract women (ok, off-topic - )
4. If I am gonna die, I would prefer to do so as a cyclist on two wheels rather than a enfeebled disease-ridden easy-chair hugger. Therefore even if I did believe it was dangerous, and being hit by a car was inevitable, I would likely still do it.

OP, with proper technique and a watchful eye, I think "eventually meet some cage as collateral for the enjoyment I get out of this?" (your quote) is not likely. But, like I said, I speak not from statistics but only from personal experience.