Stephen:

My point was simple: just because the law permits something (riding in vehicular traffic) doesn't make it reasonable or prudent.

We've all seen resonsible cyclists sharing the road, and we've also seen the idiot (sometimes sans reflective clothing or a helmet) shussing silently on the dotted line, weaving in and out of cars, going the wrong way on one-way streets, and blowing through red lights.

If you want to pretend you're a car, at least follow the vehicular rules.

Randy: your fear of getting run over by a car is well justified if you ride like you write.