[QUOTE=AmsterDan;6024977]...I am a very experienced cyclist from the Netherlands and know what I am talking about ...[QUOTE]
Cycling in the Netherlands may actually make you woefully unqualified to cycle in North America. There you have fantastic bike lane infrastructure, a high percentage of cyclists, and actual legal protection. You won't have any of that here; which is why many a cyclist here will gladly annoy a driver if it means they get noticed. I will lend my voice to the chorus stating i run both solid and flashing blinkies, and i run mine whenever i ride.