I rode in college (boston - not the place with the safest traffic). I quit, thinking that I would die on a bike because of someone elses mistake, not mine (e.g. they ran a blatantly red light). But I really missed it. Now I'm back on two wheels (and lovin' it!). Now I follow the philosophy (much referenced here at BARF) that if someone else CAN get me, then it was me who made the mistake in letting them get me (doesn't matter if they are following the rules or not). If one rides with a fighter pilot attitude, identifying and avoiding the bogies (or potential bogies) before they can get you, then I believe I'll live at least as long on a bike compared to how I used to drive my sports car (which was considerably less aware than I am now my sportsbike
Any multi-ton vehicle on the road being driven in the clueless, unaware style all too common here in the bay area counts as an enemy/bogie in my book. Pay attention and don't let them get you.
interesting data point I read (Hough I think): they did a test wrt to drivers not seeing motorcycles. they ran 3 test cases:
1) guy in all black. - had many near hits (people didn't see him)
2) guy in HiVis (neon yellow aerostich) - had just as many near hits (people didn't see him)!
3) guy in what looked like Hiway Patrol police uniform - had a significant number less near hits (why did they see him more?)!
conclusion (mine): the human brain when driving filters for things that are "dangerous". Another car is "dangerous" (can hurt me even in my car). A motorcycle is simply not a threat. But a police officer is! This danger sensor is hardwired into our subconscious. Cars DO NOT SEE us! It doesn't matter what you wear (of course hivis helps at the boundary, but I'd argue not enough to matter). And some car drivers are psychotic and simply don't like us.
Bottomline: if you ride, expect cars to behave as if you just are not there (or worse) independent of the traffic laws!
But you have to have your mind in the game for this to be fun, else you're better off choosing a different game. For me, I love to ride, and am commuting regularly.