I briefly worked in one of the statistically worst states for bicycle safety, but I was still surprised to learn how many older people fantasized about running over cyclists, or had a "they probably deserved it" attitude whenever a cyclist was struck by a car.

One time, a couple of coworkers were riding single file in the generous shoulder of a wide nearly empty multi-lane road in the early morning when they were both run over from behind in a hit and run. One had to have his spine fused. I still saw the same attitude of contempt, even from coworkers who otherwise liked them.

I switched to mountain biking after that.