You both made wonderful points, but I also think that the bad bikers and the angry drivers might be MORE (not completely, sadly) the exception than the rule. I, like Catherine, have been riding in Boston for a long time. I also don't stop at every light and there are certain points in my route coming home from work, that I'm on the sidewalk for about 30 feet. When I approach a light, I look and analyze and don't take stupid chances. When on the sidewalk, I bike ridiculously slolwy, make eye contact, tell them you're coming by. I've found that most of the people who get angry are 1) startled and 2) maybe a bit cranky by nature! If you smile and communicate, even apologize for scaring them, it can help. In the end, we need to be super vigilant, courteous and thoughtful to both motorists and pedestrians. Maybe they're just jealous that we're having so much fun! And maybe I've just been lucky, but in the 25 or so years I've been riding in Boston traffic, I've never been hit or doored and I tend to think it's because I'm more careful. Those of you who insist on riding really fast in the city and not communicating verbally and making eye contact with drivers, you're likely to get hurt. If you ride w/ earphones on, you're really taking your life in your hands. We have to take responsibility for ourselves. It's such a pleasure and a privilege to ride a bike every day, don't screw it up, eh?