When you get hurt, it’s your fault now. You should have been more careful. You should have watched where you were going. If you had just stayed in your proper place, this wouldn’t have happened. You can try to argue, but you’ll probably get brushed off. Maybe you should get a helmet cam and record every second that you’re on your bike, so that you have unrefutable proof if something happens.

Other people can hurt you and not be held accountable for their actions.

Don’t freak out, it’s not like you’re going to get in an accident every day. Maybe it’ll never happen to you! That’s not unheard of. Maybe those other cyclists, the ones who get in accidents, are just reckless and dangerous. It’s their fault. If you’re just careful enough, nothing bad will happen to you.

Make sure to distance yourself. Explain to drivers that you’re “not like most cyclists” and that you “don’t like hanging out with other bikers”. Don’t ride with other people, lest someone think that you’re one of those cyclists.

Your bike is never going to be a car, but you can pretend.