I was resisting prolonging this somewhat off-topic thread, but feel that if it helps to keep a few more classic bike enthusiasts and a few more vintage bikes on the road, healthier and happier, then there is merit (and even a little classic content).
Raoul is right-on with respect to drivers "looking at you" but not "seeing you". Having logged many, many thousands of miles on motorcycles, both in Europe and the US (and, believe me, Europe is WAY better than here!), it's one of the first things you learn. Also, when riding a motorcycle, you are literally in the "thick" of it, in traffic, and at speed. And in that situation, the consequences of someone not "seeing" you can be terminal.
The keys to survival are awareness and anticipation. These attributes kept me alive on many an occasion, and work equally well for bicycles as for motorcycles. If you can be aware of where all the other vehicles are around you (particularly those close enough to get to you), you are already ahead of the game. And if you anticipate the possible actions of these other people, and prepare for it, you are WAY ahead. Oh, and always anticipate that they WILL do the WRONG THING!.
A good example happened to me about a year ago. I was riding (my bicycle*) on a fairly heavily traveled roadway, near the curb in the traffic lane. I was approaching an entrance to a parking lot on the right as a car was coming up from behind me. In anticipation, I had moved my hands onto the brake levers, and had started to slow JUST IN CASE. As the car came around me and started a hard right into the parking lot, I climbed on the brakes HARD. I avoided being in the middle of the entrance when he turned, but just barely. I was ALMOST stopped, and he was ALMOST past me, but not quite. He clipped my front wheel with the very edge of his rear bumper, turning my wheel in and forcing me over. BUT, I wasn't in the MIDDLE of the entrance, at speed, when he turned in! It could have been much worse than a scraped knee, scuffed bar tape, and a scratch on my seat stay. All because I anticipated that something bad MIGHT happen. Of course, you know what the driver said. "I didn't see you".
Practice those things, boys and girls. And let's all try and be safe out there.
In my best Tweedy Bird voice.....It berry, beery daaaangerous out there!!!
Wayne Bingham Falls Church VA
(*I've long since given up motorcycles. Do you know how many bicycles you can buy for the price of a good motorcycle? And bicycles are a whole lot less messy to take apart in the living room! Trust me on this!)