Sometimes a loved one is just worried. Who asked your son this? A beloved family member who cares about him or some random stranger?

I had the same conversation with my wife this weekend.

Think of it from the other person's point of view if they don't ride in traffic themselves. It looks terrifying! Without knowing anything about riding in the road it looks super dangerous to a passive observer! And for obvious reasons!

You are only comfortable with it because you've done it for years. You know how to stay as safe as possible and you're willing to accept the remaining risk. Maybe explain what those things are that keep you safe are...how you see the traffic...how bright your flashing lights are....how you keep your distance form cars, etc. Sometimes people are scared because they don't understand. A little explaining can help a lot.

Of course you also have the busy body strangers you run into in the office building who feel like their comment of 'I would never risk my life riding a bike like that' has some kind of merit. For those people...just ignore them. I mean really...who cares what some random stranger thinks?