I have been riding in NYC for over 35 years and about 2/3 of my current annual 5k+ is riding the streets. I usually ride about the length of a car door from parked cars which puts me about 1/4 to 1/3 into the street lane. 90% of the cars that pass me generously go around me. IMO NYC drivers tend to respect an reasonably aggressive but unselfish bicyclist doing 15 to 20 mph. There is the occasional auto and bus driver that thinks bicyclist don't belong on the roads and may drive as close as 18 inches but no one has ever come any closer. I was even a full time bike messenger for 6 months 1970, in the thick of NYC traffic and was not in any traffic accident.
I think luck probably plays an important role in our road survival.
SG