When people find out I commute by bicycle, they sometimes react negatively and accuse me of doing something inherently unsafe in order to be some sort of freak environmental extremist. They know I have kids (two of whom are grown and out of the house) and a wife, so they feel it's their duty to inform me of the dangers of riding a bicycle on the same roads as cars and trucks. I've been riding regularly for the past 45 years, but somehow these folks think I have no clue what it's like to share the road with gas powered vehicles.

• I've tried explaining to people that the vast majority of motorists are very courteous and bike aware.
• I've joked that my wife insisted I get disability and life insurance and I'm just trying to get my money's worth.
• I've sarcastically capitulated and said "Gosh, you're right, I'd better get one of those big Hummers to protect myself."

None of the above seem to help.

Does anyone else face this issue and have you found a better response?