Bike riders in most European cites find much safer streets and it is by design. In the USA the auto is king and on public streets taxpayer subsidized vehicle parking is everywhere. Bicyclists are squeezed into narrow bike lanes and have to deal with car mirrors and people opening their car doors with looking. In many cities in Europe there are streets in shopping districts where motorized vehicles are not allowed during business hours and so the streets are in use by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Over my lifetime the streets in the USA have become much morel dangerous with drivers going past at high speeds and often focused on their hamburger, cup of coffee, or hand held cell phone than the road ahead. A bicyclist is considered to be a nuisance with no right to be on the streets.

When I do ride on city streets I find it safest during the night as their are far fewer motorists and less exhaust to inhale and it is usually cooler.